Fuaim

FUAIM's standouts are "An tUll", featuring excellent traditional drumming, and "The Green Fields of Gaothdobhair", a sweetly sung paen to the band's hometown in Ireland's County Donegal. The long and complex "Ni La Na Gaoithe La Na Scoilb?" manages to combine modern instrumentation with traditional instruments that doesn't compromise the original style of the band. The song features keyboards by the band's little sister Eithne, who went on to sell millions of muzak-ish new age albums under the name Enya. The album's closer "Buaireadh an Phosta" is an amusing song about a wedding where the dowry is all that is on people's minds.

Not every song suceeds, however. "Lish Young Buy-a-Broom" and "Strayed Away" suffer from absolutely atrocious songwriting and extremly silly lyrics.

The album is quite listenable, and entertaining, but is certainly not the peak of Irish traditional music. The band sounds less than motivated in this album, as if they were forced to be in the studio against their will, and in any event the members of Clannad were never especially distinguished in their particular instruments. Maire Ni Bhraonain's singing is not as steady here as in further efforts. Altan or the Bothy Band offer a more outstanding sound. Clannad succeeded, however, in releasing an album of traditional material that will indeed appeal to the average American's ears.

I wouldn't recommend FUAIM as a first experience with Clannad, their 1996 album LORE has better production. Nonetheless, for those who have just started listening to Clannad, FUAIM is worth a listen.


Irish Ties That Bind   April 29, 2002
Fuaim in comparison to later albums by Clannad is the bridge from which the subtle, playful vocals & instrumentation mastered in the love of their Gaelic tradition had begun to transcend the grounds of the past with the borders of the future. In other words, this album shows the beginning in which Clannad had a strong understanding in blending the electric energy and flow of pop with the earthy, textured roots of Irish music.

This album is lighthearted and sentimental. Its not heavy and is a great listen for those that are smitten with the happy bug. I am sure even if you were sad, putting on this album would make you tingle with the warm fuzzies.

Honestly, I can't find fault with the album for it provides ample entertainment from Enya's youthful and coy voice on "An Tull" or Maire's flattering energy on the traditional "Lish Young Buy-A-Broom."

Sadly, this was Enya's second and last appearance with Clannad, but this forced Clannad forward and changed them for the better. Enya has managed well in her own right.

This is a great album for those venturing into the world of Irish Music. It's modern but retains the charm of the old world. You won't be disappointed but surprised at the lingering harmonious embrace this band has to offer.

While the whole album is a gem, the standout tracks are "Na Buachailli Alainn", "Buaireadh An Phosta", "Mheall Si Lena Glorthai Me", "An Tull", and "Mhorag's Na Horo Gheallaidh"

Side Note: Clannad (on Fuaim) is comprised of Maire Brennan (Vocals, Harp), Eithne (Enya) Brennan (Keyboards, Vocals), Pol Brennan (Guitar, Percussion, Flute, Vocals), Ciaran Brennan (Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards), Noel (Guitar, Vocals) and Padraig Duggan (Guitar, Vocals, Mandolin).

If you like Clannad, try Altan.


Nice   December 7, 2001
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I am mostly a fan of the more New Agey Clannad but I do find this album to be amusing. This marks the point of where Clannad take a turn to the more pop new age sound that would define their later sound after this. This album is mosly a more traditional Irish folk sounding one but with some Western instruments that signaled the turn they would make later on.

The titles are confusing so it's a little difficult for me to break down this review into each individual track like I usually do when writing positive reviews.

An Tull is a rather happy popppy folk song. Fans of this kind of Clannad may not like songs like the airy Ri Na Cruinne, Anam or the ominous Mohicans Theme. The Green Fields Of Ghaothdobhair is a rather jazzy track that sounds similar to In A Lifetime. Na La Gaoithe La Na Scoilbe is my favorite song on this CD. It has some chants that would be the blueprint of their more haunting material. This song is over six minutes long and is like several songs in one. It starts off with mostly wobbly keyboards. The chanting then starts up. Then it becomes a mostly acoustic guitar song similar to Cad Sin Don Te Sin from Banba and then becomes a jazzy pop song with beautiful flutes.

This would be the last folk sounding album of theirs. For those who are mostly folk music lovers this might have been their last good album but hey I like both their more folk material as well their more New Age pop music as well. I recommend this album Even though it is only 35 minutes long.


A joyful noise indeed!   July 26, 2001
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

"Fuaim," pronounced "foom," is the Irish Gaelic word for sound or noise. This Clannad outing is one of their best. From the rhythmic waulking music (used by cloth fullers as they worked the material) to the beautiful ballads, to the playful, this family band's music never fails to please. My favorite cut on this album is "The Lish Young Buy-a-Broom," a humorous ballad in the traditional sense of the term (a song that tells a tale). Fans of Clannad, Maire Brennan, Enya ... in fact, most other Celtic groups ... will find this album a necessary addition to their collections.


Thoroughly enjoyable Irish music and young Enya on two songs   June 19, 2001
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Although one review says otherwise, I think this is the only Clannad album with Enya's voice on it...the other one has her on instruments, but not vocals. Be that as it may, this is one terrific album for Irish music...but there are great touches of low down blues and other musical elements...and, of course, young Enya who's good on cut 5 and terrific on cut 11.