Jan 13, 2009 6:49 PM

Enya’s latest, And Winter Came, starts off just like any of her other great albums—subtle, melodic piano, soaring falsetto and an overall feeling of tranquility. It actually came as a bit of a surprise a few songs in that this is a release that captures the spirit of the holiday season—10 new compositions (of the total 12 tracks) that put you smack-dab in the middle of a cabin in the woods while a peaceful snow envelops your world. From the soaring version of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” to a fantastic play off of “Silent Night” (which she sings in Gaelic), this is a wonderful, not-predictable collection of classic yuletide songs. It is Enya at her finest, aided in her own studio by longtime producer/arranger Nicky Ryan and lyricist Roma Ryan. This will certainly get you in the holiday mood without having to sing along to another version of “Silent Night.”

Must Plays: “Trains and Winter Rains” and “The Spirit of Christmas Past”

Producer/engineer/mixer: Nicky Ryan. Studio: Aigle Studio (Dublin). Mastering: Dick Beetham/360 Mastering (London).

—Sarah Benzuly

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