Amazon.co.uk Review
A lovely work notable for both its cohesiveness and its aural richness,
Two Horizons stands as probably the most broadly appealing solo disc (now numbering five) yet released by Clannad vocalist Moya (aka Máire) Brennan, the oft-overshadowed elder sibling of Enya. Brennan uses a mythic tale involving a much-travelled harp (a totem for all things virtuous) as the disc's thematic centre, yet it is the recording's composite sound--resonant, sumptuous, never quite overblown--that inspires repeated listenings. Brennan, who takes several turns on harp, explores a satisfying middle ground between mod and medieval, blending traditional Irish instrumentation with understated electronics and, on occasion, gently propulsive rhythms (akin to what you might hear from
Dido), then adorning the whole with a gossamer New Age veil. The effect, as displayed in transitions throughout the disc (such as the shift from the dreamy "Is It Now" to the techno-spiced "Mothers of the Desert"), can be mesmerising. Like morphing clouds in an expansive sky, the disc's 15 core tracks float by in an enchanting, atmospheric procession, with no jarring disruptions (other than a tacked-on club remix at the disc's conclusion) to break the spell.
--Terry Wood, Amazon.com
Description
Moya (Maire) Brennan helped to revolutionise Celtic music as a member of the band Clannad. This group paid homage to the musical customs of Ireland but also remained forward-looking. TWO HORIZONS continues the journey into the enchanted world of the modern Irish ballad. The music on this release falls decidedly into the New Age category, but it also maintains the underlying melodicism and delicate poetry inherent intraditional Irish music.
Songs such as "Bi Liom" featurea great deal of multi-tracking, allowing Brennan to sound like a one-woman choir. Similar to Clannad's "Theme from Harry's Game", rich harmonies abound on this piece as Brennan gently glides over the wispy keyboard accompaniment. Other tunes such as "River" and "Ancient Town" use subtle electronic backbeats. However, the focus is still on Brennan's mellifluous turns of phrase. Not surprisingly, "Harpsong" is centredon an elegant harp melody. This selection recalls the Turlough O'Carolan style of harp and is the most traditional composition on TWO HORIZONS. Lyrically, this album draws heavilyfrom Irish folklore, but the warmth of each track is ultimately derived from Brennan's voice itself.