Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Enya Got Happy.
Enya's consistency as a recording artist is no doubt due to the fact that all her albums since the 1986 debut 'Enya' (later renamed and issued as 'The Celts') have had a very dominant theme. What sets 'A Day Without Rain' apart from Enya's back catalogue is its unusually cheerful, almost jubilant tone - a far cry from the ominously moody 'Shepherd Moons'.Although you could offer up a million superlatives to describe Enya's music, you could also argue that 'stale' would be one of the first words to pop up. For the first time in a long while, Enya has stretched herself creatively and given her fans some truly intriguing surprises along the way. Whilst she has, in no way, discarded the 'Enya' sound (the title track is very 'Watermark', and many of the other songs feel like they have contemporaries on Enya's other records), a lot of this record is a little more melody-based than atmosphere-based. Becoming too commercial? Bowing to pressure? Selling out? No, none of those ... simply realising that her talents do not mean she can't produce an infectiously hummable tune. The first single, 'Only Time', is vintage but beautiful Enya (check out the slightly peppier remix on the single of the same name), whilst five tracks into the disc 'Deora Ar Mo Chroi' is a forgettable snorefest. Every other track on the album, however, has a far brighter vibe than anything Enya has ever captured on record before. 'Flora's Secret' is a beautiful tribute to spring romances, referencing 'lovers in the long grass', whilst 'Fallen Embers' becomes the perfect track for those cold nights with your partner in front of a crackling fire. Despite a career of almost fifteen years, Enya has not lost her for magical music which can evoke a time and place in the blink of an eye. 'One By One' remains the set's most compelling inclusion. A track which is about as furthest 'pop' as Enya has ever gone, its melody is undeniably brilliant and the lyrics are quite lovely, talking of a broken love affair. Could it be the disintegration of the romance mentioned in 'Flora's Secret'? More than ever before, this album has a true flow and theme to it. I remarked to a friend that 'A Day Without Rain' seems like a journey through one person's year, or whatever period of time you wish to use. The result is that 'A Day Without Rain' creates a lasting effect on the listener that many of Enya's previous releases have failed to provide. Having met Enya herself in March 2001 makes this record all the more special for me, but it is without bias that I highly recommend this album. Enya has gone to strength to strength, but seems really to have excelled herself on 'A Day Without Rain'. Everything from the opening heartfelt piano on the title track, to the deliciously crafted closer 'Lazy Days' ... even the stunning 'seasonal' photographs contained within ... reflect true beauty. Despite lasting only forty minutes in length, this just may be Enya's opus.
Rating: - Crazy amazing day!
Enya is back and better than ever. Her music still has the ability to touch you inner emotions, and sets your spirit singing. There is not one mediocre song on the entire CD. I feel the best songs to be One by One, Flora's Secret & Lazy Days, with it's very uplifting tempo. Enya still intertwines instrumental pieces throughout her works, which are great intermissions between her vocal pieces. Once again Enya adds her very powerful and dramatic feelings to her non english songs, such as the Latin Tempus Vernum, which carries the theme of the seasons. The only flaw and the reason that I am rating A Day Without Rain with 4 stars is due to the album being to short. Just as you are ready for more it's over. The CD definitely could have used another 1 or 2 songs like the Japanese version which includes Isobella. Enya thank you for providing sophisticated and elegant music.
Rating: - Soothing, Delightfully Mystical
A year ago, I was completely "enya"gnorant...I had no idea who this wonderful artist was. Then I heard "Only Time," and I was instantly captivated and mesmerized. My passion became a quest--a quest to find the artist and the CD that this single belonged to. Last January, A DAY WITHOUT RAIN and I were united; I've been blissfully content ever since.This CD is audio tranquility without peer, a soothing and relaxing respite from our frantic, frazzled world. The music conjures up colorful images from days long past: a minstrel in a king's hall, a maiden in a meadow. As a devoted "Tolkienite," I imagine hearing the voice of Enya singing softly in the background as I read about the grandeur of Rivendell, or the peaceful landscape of the Shire. (And does it come as any surprise that Enya is on the "Lord of the Rings" soundtrack?) A DAY WITHOUT RAIN cannot be recommended more highly, even from a burned-out ex-rocker like myself. "Deora Ar Mo Chroi" has GOT to be music from Heaven itself!
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