Enya-"Watermark" Review

This is technically Enya's second studio album. Her first is "The Celts" released in 1987, which coincided with her appearance on the BBC televions series of the same name. By 1989, Enya had already established her unique and celtic-oriented sound. Although what people didn't know is that she is the only artist singing on her albums. This voice layering, supported by warm synths and the swooping string melodies, separate her into her own genre of new-age tinged pop. "Watermark" is simply ahead of its time. Minimalist techniques were just starting to surface in the late 80s, but unlike the rest of the new age pack, this is music that's both substantial and yet light on the ears. True, "Watermark" is dogged a bit by a leering darkness found in both the haunting "Cursum Perficio" and the heavy ballad "Evening Falls", but these moments only emphasize Enya's brilliance to a strong and elegant degree. She finds a balance with these haunting tunes by throwing in "Orinico Flow", a song with the most irresistable "sail away" hook on the album, being driven by pizzicato strings, and then there's the compelling "Storms in Africa" (two versions can be found, one sung in Gaelic, the other in English, but the two versions are so similar either one will satisfy you) that breathes fresh air into this otherwise lulling album. Besides the upbeat "The Longships", the rest of the tracks sound more like church pieces instead of popular music. The lovely "On Your Shore" and the fine "Na Laetha G'eal Moige" focus in on Enya's undeniable vocal ability and remind you why she is at the top of the new-age pack. And she utilizes guest artists to play outstanding clarinet and bag-pipe solo passages, put right in the middle to increase overall quiality and still retain the overall mood. Fittingly enough, "Watermark" is best suited for a bubble bath, or a lazy day in the pool. But this will also work just fine in your stereo and in your car. As slow-paced and borderline stiff as this is, it's still high-quality music. It mixes technology with timelessness, making for one smooth and sublime sophomore set.

Recommended Tracks in Bold:
1. Watermark        2. Cursum Perficio          3. On Your Shore
4. Storms in Africa  5. Exile                              6. Miss Clare Remembers
7. Orinico Folow    8. Evening Falls                9. River
10. The Longships  11. Na Laetha G'eal Moige 12. Storms in Africa, pt.2