Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

As Enya's seventh official album, she still manages to produce astounding chords, harmonies, and overlapping vocals. The song of Heaven itself cannot be much better than this. _A Day without Rain_ is an absolute masterpiece, one that reaches new heights for Enya. Overall, this album seems to have a peaceful, mellow theme to it; but this theme is actually halted for one song. The following is a song-by-song experience of Enya's _A Day without Rain_. 1. "A Day without Rain" is the first and title track of the album. As a quiet and gentle piano/vocal piece, the song seems to bring to mind a silent snowfall in winter. Yet as it is titled, the song pinpoints how glorious the sunshine can be after prolonged periods of rain. 2. "Wild Child" is the second song on the album. A bit playful but still retaining an inner knowing, this song's plucking background and rhythmic singing definitely project some sort of happiness or discovery. The melody is very catchy, and you'll find yourself singing along in no time. 3. "Only Time" is the gem-like third track on _A Day without Rain_, and is featured in the film _Sweet November_. This song quiets the mind and reassures that all troubles and triumphs are handled by time. The song seems to climax halfway through, with added background vocals and melody changes. Just like a rain shower fading, "Only Time" ends as if it has given you a pearl of wisdom. 4. "Tempus Vernum" is where the theme stops, but then repeats after this song until the end of the album. Dark strings and xylophone-sound plunking give this song an edge. The chanted/sung Latin lyrics add to its eerieness, and its sound building at the end of the song leaves as quickly as it came. This is certainly a memorable piece. 5. "Deora ar Mo Chroi" is partners with "Tempus Vernum" in that the strings in "Tempus Vernum" quiet and fade into the background for this song. Serene Irish Gaelic lyrics make a very Enya-like atmosphere. If "Tempus Vernum" raised your heart rate, this song definitely slows it down. 6. "Flora's Secret" is a lovely song with a pleasing melody and rhythm about two lovers and the stories told to them by Flora. Again using strings and airy background vocals, this song will put a smile on your face. 7. "Fallen Embers" is a contrast to "Flora's Secret." Using a piano and Enya's voice as a solo, this song tells the story of losing a love, and reminiscing about how the world seemed so much better when her love was with her. What a sad but beautiful song! A real tear-jerker for anyone that has ever had to cope with loss. 8. "Silver Inches" almost seems like an attempt to brigten the mood of the sorrowful person in the last song! Using string-like (or maybe just string) instruments, this song's staccato fading to legato sound is absolutely marvelous. 9. "Pilgrim" in style and feeling seems to resemble "Only Time," but not in sound! With Enya singing solo again (other than quiet background vocals through half of the song), the swaying melody and wisdom-filled lyrics create an almost comatose piece. 10. "One by One" is another catchy melody with strings and lovely vocals, about the adventures befalling a "he" and "she" who repeatedly leave each other. The chorus, "one by one my leaves fall, one by one my tales are told" almost give the feeling that the singer is telling their life story in this song. 11. "Lazy Days," the last song (on the U.S. release) on _A Day without Rain_, is easily one of my favorites. A completely fun song about having a day or two to do "nothing." The loose lyrics and spunky melody combine to form a joyous atmosphere. The "chorus" of climaxing "da da da da da da da da da"'s make you want to dance. This is the perfect ending to a perfect album. In short, _A Day without Rain_ may just be Enya's best album yet. Although the length is little over 30 minutes, the quality of this music is worth every penny. Absolutely amazing!