Cheap Sirius (Music) (Clannad) Price

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Customer Reviews of Sirius

Clannad's Most Commercial Venture is Worth Your Time.
This was the first Clannad album I ever purchased after enough push from a contemporary jazz/new age music station back in 1988, and on vinyl to boot. It's also the first album to really open the door to my exploration of music outside the spectrum of commercial pop/rock and anything else that radio programmers insist is good for us. Regardless of what the critics have said about Sirius, this album opened the door to music a lot of people would never have discovered otherwise. Love or hate it, Sirius really was a catalyst for those of us restless enough to search for other things to listen to other than simple, redundant formula.
Because of this album, I truly learned to appreciate mulitcultural music, so what's wrong with a commercial venture or two? The band didn't stick with it because it wasn't really them, but it decidedly has its merits.
Sirius is definitely more rock heavy than, say, albums like Macalla, but it still possesses a unique charm all its own. Can you think of another band in the late 80's gutsy enough to do a tribal song like "White Fool" with Steve Perry singing backup, or "Skellig," which got heavy rotation around here on a local world music station? Very good use of haunting wails and ocean waves to accommodate the mood of the song, by the way.
"Something to Believe In" is a good timeless pop song that will defy the test of time due to the fact that each generation has its troubles.
"Live and Learn" is a nice jazz fusion/pop song that showcases some of Maire Brennan's best vocal moments as other than a croomer of beautiful traditional Gaelic ballads.
"Many Roads" is a pretty folk song in which Maire duets with Bruce Hornsby, and would make the perfect Hallmark card.
"Sirius" is almost science fiction-like in its plea for planetary peace, and raises your consciousness about the crimes being committed against creation.
Sirius is a great album to start with--as I did--when you're not used to very cultural music. Even if it doesn't get you started into exploring other forms, you may probably appreciate this disc on its own, in which tradtional and radio-friendly meet each other with some give and take.

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not just smooth but loud too
I love Clannad. Their music is pure and a keltic version of Gregorian Chant. Through their albums you get reflective lyrics, Gaelic sounds that take you away to a spiritual journey. I understand how to worship rocks when I hear their albums. Then comes Sirius. Some reviews say skip this, or that one is better than this one. I read in these reviews that they got a blast from critics when they went electric. Yet, the music is a blend of smooth with a driving beat. The combination of instrumentation is incredible. Did anyone pick up on the French Horns? The purity of their sound is amazing. Something To Believe In, is a mantra, reflective of Clannad at their spiritual best. The rest is hang on to your hats. As usual, the critics were wrong. Frankly, Maire Brennen and the rest showed that they can do rock as good as anybody.

This was not a sell out or a bad turn. They blew the lid off and went on. I have all their cd's. I keep coming back to Sirius. They made it as their song says, "against a fierce wind, and a turning tide."

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Many Roads
Clannad took a lot of flack about this album. Some believed that an American production took away the raw energy and left nothing but a slick polished rock sound. But, do not dismiss SIRIUS too easily for on this album are some fine moments of music!

Standout tracks include:

The cymbal-crash of "In Search of a Heart" which proves to those who believe Clannad can only do slow songs that Clannad is not a one trick pony.

"Second Nature" has a big sound when it comes over the speakers. Electric instruments find an odd companion in the Irish pipes!

"Skellig" should be filed with the "Clannad's Tour of Ireland In Song" catagory with songs like "Newgrange" and "Poison Glen". I love it when Clannad do historical music! "Skellig" refers to a group of rocky islands off the coast of County Kerry. Because of their placement ships have trouble getting in and out of the inlet. The music is very atmospheric with the sound of the ocean and wind blowing through a harp...beautiful!

"White Fool" is a musical account of the Roman occupation of Brittain and Ireland when they pilaged for treasure and pushed back the Celts. Steve Perry (from Journey) joins the boys on the chanting of tribal Gaelic backing Maire's determined voice.

Maire duets with Bruce Hornsby in "Something to Believe In". Just a perfect piece of pop showing off their amazing harmony.

If you are just now getting into Clannad this was an important album for them, the last of the 1980s.

The album isn't lush like LORE but hearing it will help you understand how they got to make LORE (which many fans consider their best). Artists must continue to grow and experiment and SIRIUS was a worthwhile effort and a must for listeners.