successive listens.

Ushered in by the elongated medieval moans of "Caislean Oir," side one displays Clannad's diverse skills in something like a logical progression. Haunting harmonies dominate the opening cut, then fall behind Maire's pensive lead on "The Wild Cry," echoing and embellishing the chorus. Then the band kicks into gear on the Fleetwood Mac-like "Closer to Your Heart," creating a gentle, but never gooey, guitar-driven groove. At times, Ni Bhraonain recalls Stevie Nicks, but she never stoops to histrionic display; you can hear how relaxed and confident she is as she skates gracefully around Bono's bighearted roar on the complex, soaring "In a Lifetime." He may steal that show, but Maire bounces back on "Almost Seems (Too Late to Turn)"; buoyed by unexpected synths and discreetly distorted guitar, she turns this wispy curl of a ballad into an ethereal torch song.

On side two, Clannad displays a command of both the traditional ("Buachaill on Eirne," "Journey's End") and the more contemporary (those guitar breaks on "Northern Skyline" are pure Eagles). But they sound best somewhere in between: with its trilling flutes, wonderfully layered vocals and heady sax solos, the invigorating "Indoor" seems timeless. Like the rest of Macalla, it makes the pleasures of hearth and home sound pretty damn cozy. (RS 473)

MARK COLEMAN