"Tempus Vernum" by Enya from A Day Without Rain

"Woah… This is dark."

This common reaction to "Tempus Vernum" has merit. The two minutes and odd seconds of "Tempus Vernum" are packed with darkly-toned music in a Celtic style. The Irish singer's mature voice suits the epic style, remeniscent of "Requiem for a Tower".

The music and vocals meld beautifully if you're fond of dark-sounding music. A Day Without Rain is much lauded as the best album yet produced by Enya (born Eithne Ni Bhraonain), and "Tempus Vernum stands out as one of the best songs on the album.

The Latin lyrics add an ironic twist. While the Latin itself accents the dark feel, the song title is "Spring Time"! Throughout the song, it speaks of opposites in nature, particularly of times of day and cardinal locations. (Though most hearers wouldn't understand that.)

Do you like "Requiem for a Tower"? Check out this song for a comparable treat!

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Lyrics: 5/5
Music: 5/5
Vocal(s): 5/5
Overall: 10/10

"The River Sings" by Enya from Amarantine

"It's more of the same," is the most comment complaint for Enya's many songs, and Amarantine demonstrates that. But if you like her soothing style that works, you won't care. I've heard about 50 of her songs, and this is one of my favorites, even if it does sound much like "Ebudæ".

Enya melds Celtic and New Age style music with their minor key and softness. Some will find it relaxing; others depressing. Enya's voice has the usual echoing quality as it's used as an instrument, melded into the song. "The River Sings" has a faster beat than many on the album, the tempo fitting a heartbeat as the singing has its cheery and slight darker points. I can picture naiads dancing around their river singing in the imaginary language used in this song.

The language, Loxian, was created by Enya's lyricist Roma Ryan after Enya sang in Elvish for the soundtrack for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Unfortunately, this song does sound like a second version of one of her earlier songs called "Ebudæ", with almost the same music. Enya's layered voice sings a song that, when translated into English, questions on "the shape of eternity."

A Christian knows "the shape of eternity", so it's something to consider when deciding to (not) listen to the song. The soothing music might help calm the listener after a tense day, and the lyrics are clean. The music style, "New Age", may be used for meditation by some, but it needn't be used that way.

Altogether, "The River Sings" beautifully paints its mental cheer, melded together so I cannot imagine the song formed any other way. If you're sick of Enya's "same old" feel, you'll want to avoid the song, but otherwise, enjoy!

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Lyrics: 4/5
Music: 4/5
Vocal(s): 5/5
Overall: 9/10