I'll put my review here too, to avoid another topic
Rating goes from 1 to 5 stars
The first thing I have to say about Destiny is that the change of the musical director sounds very clear: the arrangements are somehow simpler, without all the great, powerful orchestrations we were used to, except for a couple of songs. There's a sense of intimacy in this album, much like the original of 2005. We really hear Méav's influence here, and that is a most welcome thing. Along with this, something new also comes. Most of the original songs have a pop-ish, even rock-ish sound and that may seem veeery strange to our ears the first time, but just keep listening to them and you will end up loving the entire album.
My Land
I always wanted CW to cover this song, since the first time I heard Orla singing it in 2009 (only later I realized it was by Secret Garden). This is the classic CW anthem-ballad, and strangely enough for an opening track, it mainly focuses on Susan. Eabha provides harmony in the second part and Mairead C sings the higher notes towards the finale. I expected to hear Mairead N and her fiddle, but no trace of them, it's quite sad and I would have preferred to hear the fiddle instead of the bagpipes.
Siúil A Rún
I was not too keen with the idea of a past song in the new album, especially the idea of one of Orla's solos turned into a group number, but it turned out to be very very beautiful. It reminded a lot of Anùna's version, but the addition of the fiddle and the unexpected harmonies make it sublime.
Ride On
It was nice to have a duet+fiddle song, I think the last one may have been Pie Jesu on TGJ. Unfortunately this is less emotional and haunting, kind of predictable sometimes. Pity that a classic Irish song doesn't sound too fitting for CW. It probably would have worked better with a different arrangement, but still it has a sort of dramatic calm moment to the album. Lovely harmonies with the Eabha-Mairead blend.
The Whole Of The Moon
The arrangement of this song is really nice and new for CW, anyway I honestly think that Susan can do much better with a different kind of songs. Still, it is very interesting how the group is experimenting new sounds, and besides it would be boring to always have the same old things.
Skyrim (Dragonborn)
I think it's the first time CW records a song from a videogame and I totally love the idea: nowadays a lot of videogames have very beautiful soundtracks and themes, and it happens to be Skyrim's case. I loved Peter Hollens' rendition more than the original and it will probably remain my favourite, but this one also is absolutely delicious. I love/hate how the lyrics doesn't seem quite the same of the original, but Méav's voice in the choir makes me forget that
How Can I Keep From Singing
Even if this is a traditional song, for me it has always been an Enya song. Enya is probably my favourite artist and I thought it would have been hard to love Eabha's rendition. With that premise, I was stunned when I heard it. It's so simple, calm, easy to listen, yet her voice just tears your heart. CW really needed this kind of deep, low and heart-breaking voice, and Eabha is that voice. I love her lament-like sound that becomes so light in the less-low notes. So celtic and emotional. Pure magic.
I See Fire
Another clever choice for the group. Every fan of The Hobbit trilogy and Ed Sheeran's fans will want to listen to it. I must say I'm not really into this particular song and I would have preferred at least one powerful song for Mairead, since she has all the skills to compete with past power-voices like Lisa and Chloe. I think is my less-favourite song on the album, but I understand the strategy behind the choice
Tír Na nÓg
Very little CW here, the song is totally Oonagh-style. Oddly enough, the video version has the fiddle sound in it while the album version does not - or at least the fiddle is covered by all the other sounds. The melody sounds almost the same as Oonagh's Avalon, they could have covered it -maybe with English lyrics- and it would have been the same, but I like it and again, it's nice to hear something a little bit different from the previous albums. Hopefully Susan will sing Oonagh's lines on tour.
Óró Sé Do Bheatha Abhaile
Méav proves again that she is THE Celtic Woman. I can definitely hear her contribution on this arrangement, and I'm still amazed by her ability to steal the scene only with her voice. She has turned a simple traditional song into a beautiful upbeat anthem, and eved dared to go quite down her vocal extension. The choir lines during the instrumental interludes are brilliant. This has to be one of my absolute CW favourites.
Sometimes A Prayer Will Do
Now THIS is the kind of song that does justice to Susan's voice. It's very reminiscent of the gospel atmosphere in her HFC solo and really showcases her powerful voice -which IMHO has the most powerful sound of all the girls in CW history, but a less precise vibrato.
Bean Pháidín
I love how Eabha's voice is in contrast with the other two voices but also blends beautifully with them. A céili song in this particular, less upbeat style will probably mean a simpler coreography on tour and I like the idea. Interesting choice to leave the choir out of it, again it makes the song very simple yet very funny and enjoyable.
Westering Home
I'm not sure I can hear Rebecca on this song, but then I can't even hear Méav even if we know they are in the DVD performance, so I assume that would be a nice difference. This is supposed to be a closing song for the show, like The Parting Glass, but with less power, more a march than a ballad-anthem. The good of this simple group arrangements is that we can easily sing along even if we are not professional singers
When You Go
This is another pop-ish song, with strong percussions and catchy beat. Just like in My Land, Susan's voice is very prominent while the other girls mostly provide harmonies. The melody of the chorus is just lovely, too bad we can't hear more fiddling if not on the background.
Like An Angel Passing Through My Room
Another slow song for Mairead C, but this time we get to hear a little more of her beautiful upper register... If we stay awake
Sorry to say, but even if the song is beautiful it is a little too lullaby-style for her. It's nice to have a piano-singer piece again, but I would have preferred something warmer, in the style of The Blessing or Follow On.
Walk Beside Me
Eabha's other solo is just stunning. Again, her voice is heart-breaking but in a good way. This is a beautiful hymn to friendship and brotherhood/sisterhood. Beautiful lyrics with just an hint of gospel mood. Straight to my CW favourites.
Hills Of Ireland
A classic CW fiddle solo for Mairead N, this time mixed with some reminiscences of her previous solos, in a nice blend of past and present. The second part is very catchy and light, it's probably going to be one of my instrumental favourites along with The Foxhunter.
Skylands
The real surprise of this album. I wasn't sure about it when I heard the preview and the drums could actuallyresult annoyng in some parts, but the pop/rock sound mixed with the girls' voices is a very interesting combination. The arrangement reminded me of Runrig, with their mix of rock and traditional celtic music. Skylands may require more than a play to get into your head, but it is a very nice song indeed.
