Although Anam isn't my favorite album by Clannad, it is certainly a far cry better than the average reviewer has judged it! Let's settle something first..if you want to hear gritty lively Irish hoofin' music...then no...this album is not for you...but then Clannad have never been about dancing really. A lot of their sound is atmospheric but Clannad are also eclectic...this album goes from ethereal to pop to folk to jazz...

Certain tracks stand out:

"Ri na Cruinne" is a beatifully arranged song for the voices of Clannad...it's rhythm meanders around their harmonies amd makes a perfect entry for this albums journey.

"Anam" which means "soul" shows off Maire's celtic harp and the angel end of her vocal range.

"In Fortune's Hand" is a rather fast paced song...showing Clannad is not a one trick pony. Very driven, the song has a mean hook!

"Poison Glen" is just a tale told thru song.

"Why Worry" shows a developing interest in jazz...probobly the best song on here...very unique...before this song Clannad had not really gone this far in a jazz sound yet. An earlier song "The Hunter" seems to have forshadowed this sound.

This album shows an amazing maturity and growth that would fuel later albums like Banba, Lore, and Landmarks. Working in a music store I have recomended this album to many customers who came back for more...so I believe this is a nice intro for a later era Clannad.

As far as my favorite albums by Clannad go...well... it would be Banba, Macalla, Landmarks, Lore, Anam and Dulaman, this is out of the 18 Clannad CDs I own so you see...Anam really ranks high!

Don't listen to the negative reviews on this album. Anam is a beautiful CD with a very jazzy twist but still has that Celtic sound.

Anam is Gaelic for 'Soul' and the album title was perfect because the music touches your soul.

Ri Na Cruinne opens this CD with a bang. It's a very haunting song with haunting vocals, ambient keyboards, and thundering beats. This is a song to play on a trip through the mountains on a cloudy evening. In A Lifetime features a duet with U2 frontman Bono. It's a very jazzy song that will make you feel good. IAL is also available on the 1985 album Macalla. One of my all-time favorite duets. The title track is very much like Ri Na Cruinne only more serene and dreamier. I played this song when walking through the colorful gardens on a cloudy evening and I was in total bliss because this song blossoms with beauty, soul, and magic. We head into much more upbeat territory with the Celtic/jazz fusion of In Fortunes Hand. This song is very upbeat with a bit of a pop/jazz/Celtic sound. The Poison Glen is more laid back with beautiful vocals and acoustic guitars with snares. This song is much more Celtic with an accordian. Wilderness is a pleasant acoustic guitar instrumental. Theme From Harrys Game is a very haunting song with a sort of Medieval twist. This song is beautiful but nothing like the next song. Why Worry made this a CD worth buying multiple times. It's a very warm, jazzy song with awesome keyboards, and beatiful chants. I love how the song becomes dark and misty towards the ending. Uirchill An Chreagin is ambient keyboards and gorgeous vocals to make a song to enjoy on a sunny or cloudy afternoon. Love And Affection is more rock oriented with a more upbeat yet moody sound. The song kind of breaks down towards the ending and ultimately fades into mostly ambience at the ending. You're The One is a more country oriented song with a sunny feel-good sound. Dobhar is a piano instrumental that closes this amazing CD.

This one is one of my favorite Clannad CDs in my collection. It's worth the price. I would say get this CD, it's an incredible piece of art. Well done Clannad.

Because I'm a great fan of Clannad, I'm trying to build the whole discography from them. So I know most of their work. This is not a "bad" record. However, if this is your first buy from Clannad, it will give you a wrong impression of their work. They have much better stuff than this (like Banba, Lore, Landmarks...) with quality proportional to Clannad's fame. Don't misjudge them by this listenning, ok?

This clannad album is the best. I love the celtic highlights and jazzy overtones. I only have one other clannad album, but with listening to this one, I know I'm getting moore!

This is probably my favorite of Clannad's works. The variety of songs is enjoyable, and it's wonderful to play just for some nice background music.