Well, what does everyone who has listened to the album think of it so far? It was released in Ireland, Germany and a few other places today so naturally appeared on, ahem, 'other' sites this morning, so I downloaded it. :heehee: I will of course still be buying on Monday.

 

I've just finished 'And Winter Came', and it's a great song tbh. :o Much better than I thought. I'm going to listen now anyway, so I'll get back to you on the rest later!

I am still waiting for the postman. I pre-ordered my copy and I hope it arrives today. Please let us know what you think, David. I always love to read reviews!

 

Love,

 

Yvonne

I'll do an in-depth one later, but so far I can say that I am on track seven and have given five of the songs five stars out of five on iTunes. :naughty:

Best album ever,and I'm not saying this because its new.... :music: :rap:

The song I could took off the album is One Toy Soldier... I never was into child songs :jump:

Edited November 7, 200816 yr by Odaisul

My review will come later.

Yes, mine too. I think it would be a bit premature to write a review just yet. I have to hear it a few more times. I can say that I love the album though :wub: . Lovely melodies, wonderful vocals. Mmmmmmmm

 

Love,

 

Yvonne

O Come.... :wub: I can't say that enough.

Ok here goes then...

 

And Winter Came

Initially I was a bit disappointed that this was just a re-hash of 'Midnight Blue', but I have to say I think it's a lovely piece. Much better than its predecessor, but still one of the weaker songs on the album I feel. Still, I'm glad there is an instrumental on there as I think they break up the album nicely (even if this is the first track!) and it's quite a soothing entrance into the song. I'll be slightly generous and give it 8/10.

 

Journey of the Angels

Really not feeling this song... I think it's a bit too long tbh, and I think there are so many superior ballads on this album to this. It reminds me slightly of 'If I Could Be Where You Are', and that is one of my least favourite ever Enya songs unfortunately. It does have a couple of nice key changes in, but the lyrics don't really impress me all that much either. 6/10.

 

White Is in the Winter Night

Initially I really liked this song, now I'm beginning to think it's actually quite a cheesy sort of song. In the EPK Roma said that 'One Toy Soldier' was quite a child-like sort of song, but I think this is the only kiddy song on here really. Very catchy though, I'll give it that, and for that reason it can have 7/10 from me.

 

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Now we're getting to the gems. Enya's renindition of this carol is absolutely fantastic. I loved the sound of it from the preview clips we'd heard, and the choir-like sounds in this song make it all the better. I'd never heard of the song before I heard Enya was to sing it, but it's certainly one of my favourite carols now! 10/10.

 

Trains and Winter Rains

Obviously we all heard this song quite a bit ago so I'm not quite so ecstatic about it now, but this is still an excellent song with an excellent video, albeit being promoted absolutely terribly. A good change from Enya, and it's getting 9/10.

 

Dreams Are More Precious

I eagerly awaited hearing this song, after it sounded so amazing on the EPK and BuzzJack and Unity members had said how good it was, and I wasn't disappointed to hear the whole thing. A beautiful song, and one of Enya's strongest slower songs she has done for a very long time... 10/10.

 

Last Time by Moonlight

I won't be at all surprised if this song turns out to be my favourite Enya song ever at the rate I am loving this currently. The soaring voice of Enya in this song is breathtaking - it really is. The chorus is one of the best things I have heard in a song for a very long time, and it fully reminds me of why I love Enya so much. This really is a truly fantastic song, and I can see why so many people are rating this so highly. Almost brings a tear to the eye. 10/10.

 

One Toy Soldier

I was a bit sceptical about this song to begin with, but after hearing it in full I think it's a really nice tune, even if the lyrics are a bit random! It's nice to have a more 'upbeat' song though after the previous two songs, and I would like to hear 'Miraculum' as well to hear what it sounds like in Latin! 9/10.

 

Stars and Midnight Blue

A good song this, if not breathtaking like many of the other songs on this album. I did initially think that the rehashed 'Midnight Blue' would be this, and it would've made sense, and in a way I wish it was and that 'And Winter Came' was a different instrumental. As nice a song as this is, I don't really think there is all that much need for it on the album. It gets completely overshadowed by 'Dreams Are More Precious', 'Last Time by Moonlight' and 'Spirit of Christmas Past' as they are all similar in style, but far far better. 'Amarantine' could've done with this instead tbh. Still, 8/10.

 

Spirit of Christmas Past

This song is amazing, and is currently my third favourite off the album. The soaring "Aaaaaaaamen" sounds that echo through the speakers make for a beautiful listen that bring shivers down the spine. How Enya has managed to produce SO many glorious ballad-like songs on this album I will never know. 10/10.

 

My! My! Time Flies!

Initial favourite from the album, now my second after 'Last Time by Moonlight', this song is totally refreshing and insanely catchy. It's fantastic to hear the guitar make an appearance in an Enya song, and despite its differences from the rest of the album, it really doesn't feel out of place. With the right promotion (which it won't get while Enya is signed up to Warner) this song has the potential to be at least as big as 'Anywhere Is' chart-wise (which made #7 on the UK charts in 1995). The reference to the Beatles is a nice feature too, and again something that we don't hear very often from Enya, aside from the Rob Dickins and Ross Cullum references in 'Orinoco Flow' of course! A definate 10/10 from me.

 

Oiche Chiuin (Chorale)

Far, far better than the original of this carol, and I really love it. The 'choir of one' sound that Nicky has developed is utterly fantastic, and I can't believe it took him 20 years to get Roma and Enya to agree to using it on one of the albums! It's getting 9/10 from me purely because I don't think it quite deserves the ten as we've heard the song so many times!

 

Overall: 106/120 - pretty hot tbh.

I haven't got time to do a detailed analysis of the album yet. I'm still getting used to it and I'm still a bit mixed. My first reaction last night was disappointment, but today it has grown on me.

 

I think my immediate reaction was that the songs were too slow and too similar. I still think that there's a lack of variety but today the songs have started to distinguish themselves a bit more to me.

 

I am still utterly blown away by O come o come Emmanuel. The spirit of Christmas past is also emerging as a favourite. Two other tracks are growing on me: Dreams are more precious and Last time by Midnight.

 

There are a couple of tracks that I am not just not 'getting' at the moment: Journey of the Angels (great title, boring song) and Stars and Midnight Blue.

 

I really admire My! My! time flies for the way it's different but I'm not sure it's a track I'll ever fully love. I find White is in the winter night too synthetic in terms of vocal and orchestration. That track really does need a live choir and orchestra. It's too artificial and fake sounding to me.

 

Anyway, an Enya album always takes me a while. That's where I'm up to so far.

 

Finally, is it just me or are the lyrics a bit too.....I don't know.....vague? I mean there must be more to winter than simply stars in the sky.

This is my Amazon.com review.

 

If there is one album you should have in your collection this year, it has to be this one. There is a reason why it reached #1 on Amazon's best seller list! This is the release of the year. Every track is outstanding in its own way, there isn't a bad song on it. And Winter Came is Enya's first "winter themed" album. Some may think of it as a "Christmas" album. Here is a breakdown of what to expect when you listen to the album.

 

1. And Winter Came-The album opener, an instrumental. This is a reworking of a b-side track from Enya called "Midnight Blue" (available on the Wild Child single if you want to hear it) Nice opener, the beginning of the song is the best part. I think an excellent job was done with the tweaking.

 

2. Journey Of The Angels-A slow, traditional/religious carol. Said by Roma Ryan (lyricist) to be the story of the nativity as it would be written in the 21st century. Gorgeous song.

 

3. White Is In The Winter Night-A fun, upbeat song. Enya describes it as "very descriptive" and "a song to join in on" which I think is a fairly accurate way of putting it. Its lyrics are quite catchy. This is said to be the second single pulled from the album.

 

4. O Come O Come Emmanuel-This has to be the most exquisite rendition of this song I have ever heard. If this doesn't leave you with goose bumps, I don't know what will! The lyrics, the arrangement, her voice, just beautiful. The best on the album.

 

5. Trains And Winter Rains-Everyone knows this one! It reminds me of a mixture of past Enya songs (The Magic of the Night, May It Be, some say Orinoco Flow) Somewhat dark sounding. It's about a journey, there's no turning back. It's the first single taken from the album and I think it was a nice choice.

 

6. Dreams Are More Precious-This one reminds me of Once You Had Gold, but much better all around. It could be thought of as the "lullaby" of this album.

 

7. Last Time By Moonlight-This can be thought of as one of her fine moments in song. The lyrics are very moving. The strongest lyrics: Oh, remember this/for no one knows/the way love goes

 

8. One Toy Soldier-A Long Long Journey-esque song. To quote Roma: "One Toy Soldier is basically a children's song, a song about a little toy soldier. He's a favorite toy. He's been in the family for many years, he's like an heirloom, and as with all things that have been with you for a long time, he's not perfect, he's broken, his little drum is broken." An inspirational piece.

 

9. Stars And Midnight Blue-On some parts of this song, she almost sounds like her sister Moya. This song reminds me of If I Can Be Where You Are, but much better executed.

 

10. The Spirit Of Christmas Past-Based on Charles Di-ckens' "A Christmas Carol". Very wonderfully done. Lyric sample: When tears are in your eyes/it's time to look inside/your heart can find another way

 

11. My! My! Time Flies!-This is an upbeat, catchy song that is most different from Enya, but at the same time, not radically different. It's a tribute to the late Jimmy Faulkner. There is a clever reference to The Beatles in the song and some nice blues guitar. The most surprising track on the album. Said to be the possible third single.

 

12. Oiche Chiuin (chorale)-A remake of her classic rendition of Oiche Chiuin (Silent Night) Richer sound, improved from the original. It's done in the fashion of tracks on Watermark.

 

Miraculum-This is a bonus track that is available for downloading on this site. The track uses the background music from One Toy Soldier, but the lyrics are different. This song was created in honor of 20 years of music. Sang in Latin.

 

Enya has not failed to please with this album. I would more than recommend this to any Enya fan (casual, once in a while, long term, whatever!) The artwork is also a very gorgeous presentation. The photos online do not do it justice. Some are saying that this work is not up to her potential, but I believe it has reached her potential and then some. Enya has yet to disappoint (and she won't!) This is one that won't leave your CD player (put it in one that has good bass and turn it up loud, it's the most gorgeous sound ever) Do yourself a favor and don't listen to the naysayers, you'll be missing out on some of her best recordings.

 

My star breakdown (if we are using that rating system):

 

5/5 stars: O Come O Come Emmanuel, White Is In The Winter Night, Trains and Winter Rains, My! My! Time Flies!, One Toy Soldier, Journey of the Angels, Last Time By Moonlight, The Spirit of Christmas Past

 

4/5 stars: Dreams Are More Precious, And Winter Came, Oiche Chiuin (chorale), Stars and Midnight Blue, Miraculum

Edited November 12, 200816 yr by On Your Shore

Interesting thoughts guys. ^_^ I think I'm probably in more agreement with Gloria than Ben currently, as AWC was an instant hit with me. I'll post my in-depth analysis in a week or so. :D

I love And Winter Came so much..I was just on Amazon and some gave it low reviews, one called it "mediocre" and another said "it's an album that you would like if you started liking Enya after listening to Amarantine" or something like that. No way. I've been listening to Enya since Watermark and I HIGHLY disagree. -_-

In comparison to Amarantine, and even ADWR, AWC is much better imo. I'm still deciding where to slot it in on my list of favourite Enya albums!

My favorites are "Last time by moonlight" (this is the best),"Dreams are more precious", "The Spirit of Christmas Past" and "Journey of the angels".

"WIITWN" and "OTS" are oK when you're in a different mood jeje.

"And winter came..."the title track is great for a start and i think is like an INTRO for "Last Time by Moonlight" :P absolutely is

 

I don´t like much the "Silent Night" version. The other tracks are Ok but just Ok, "Trains and Winter rains" are among the least I like :S

There are too many songs sung in English and too many songs of a similar tempo. There's only one track that really bores me (Stars and Midnight Blue) but the overall feel of the album is a little too slow and mellow. There was so much more variety between the tracks on the first albums. No two songs on Watermark sounded the same. But on And Winter Came you have half an album of a similar style:

 

Journey of the Angels

Dreams are more precious

Last time by moonlight

One toy soldier

Stars and midnight blue

The spirit of Christmas past

 

Also, the English language has just kept increasing on Enya albums and this limits the rich variety that there used to be on her albums:

Watermark: 4 English tracks

Shepherd Moons: 5 or 6 English tracks (depending on your version of Book of Days)

The Memory of Trees: 5 English tracks

A day without rain: 7 English tracks

Amarantine: 7 English tracks

And winter came: 9.5 English tracks

 

 

I love this album. The melodies are so beautiful, even better than on her more recent albums. They have that ring to them that Watermark's melodies have, for instance Evening Falls. This album suits the winter perfectly. :wub: I won't do an analysis of each song, I'll just say that Last Time By Moonlight, White Is In The Winter Night, and O Come, O Come, Emanuel, Stars and Midnight Blue, and Oiche Chuin are my favorites. In my opinion, Enya and Co. have outdone themselves on this one. ^_^

 

Btw, I really like your review David. Ditto on all songs except Stars and Midnight Blue. I love that song. The chorus is gorgeous.

Edited November 15, 200816 yr by grace

Suuuure, everyone likes David's review and not mine. :lol: Ah well, what can you do. I think that's probably why I love this album so much..I'm a huge fan of Watermark. :wub:

No, you're review is great! I like it too. B) It's really great for customers on Amazon though, because it's very convincing. If I read it, I'd definitely buy AWC. :kink:

Thanks. ^_^ I achieved what I was aiming for. :kink:

:lol: Maybe you should write one for the Trains and Winter Rains single. I'm still debating about whether to buy it or not. If it was a digipack, I would definitely snap it up, but since it's just in a slimline case, I don't think so. :unsure: I'm probably going to buy another copy of AWC though, to give to a friend. I know she'll :wub: it.