Though the group would eventually drift into new age territory, with its second effort
Clannad was still rooted firmly in traditionalism. Sung almost entirely in Gaelic,
Clannad 2 is moody and deliberate, with flashes here and there of romantic yearning or sighing wistfulness. It's played entirely on acoustic instruments and features some great solos from flutist Pol Brennan, particularly on the instrumental "Fairly Shot of Her."
Máire Brennan's expressive vocals are of course the album's centerpiece; she can express emotion with subtle changes of inflection or use the full power of the Gaelic language to link
Clannad's music to Irish history. This she does to almost scary effect on the driving reel "Gabhar Bán." At the same time,
Brennan teams with male harmony for the lilting "Rince Briotánach," which, with its jaunty feel, is the exact opposite of its darker cousin. Together with its counterpart "Dheanainn Súgradh," the latter track blends Ireland's own music with a medieval quality that's particularly striking. It's true that
Clannad became known more for fusing roots with modernism than sticking to tradition. But the austere
Clannad 2 followed the lead of groups like
Planxty and
Fairport Convention looking inward and backward for real inspiration. In the process,
Clannad made one of its most memorable and powerful albums. ~ Johnny Loftus