Clann Zu - Rua Album Review
Written September 7, 2003

In a music scene starved of originality and true advancement, occasionally a breakthrough is made. Clann Zu’s Rua is just that, a refreshing foray into experimentation that somehow blends elements of electronica, folk, rock and classical into a powerful and unique album.

Based in Australia, Clann Zu relies heavily on native instrumentation and influence while simultaneously incorporating the Irish heritage of singer Declan de Barra. The result is a series of tracks that range from hauntingly beautiful ballads to foot-stomping fiddle medleys. Rua covers a wide range of different sounds and hold them together with the sheer strength of the album’s composition and De Barra’s overarching vocals, which are delivered in a mournful combination of Irish and English. A few rare instances of aural cluttering and excessively drawn-out themes mar certain songs, but never enough to become distracting.

The entire album is a testament to sorrow, a voice that begs for recognition of oft-overlooked travesties of humanity. Much reference is made to the fall of Australia and New Zealand’s native cultures, while in “Five Thousand More”, the Irish famine which killed millions in the past is compared to current starvation in Africa. However, De Barra’s lyrics are wonderfully subtle and carefully veiled, as opposed to the blunt punch-in-the-face approach that most political music takes. The innate sadness in Rua is enough to make you care; it’s emo for world issues.

Clann Zu will appeal to almost anybody with its extensive variety of influences, dark-seeded frailty and intelligent subject matter. Rua is definitely one of the few genuinely memorable and original stateside releases this year.

Album review. Good disc...I would still recommend it, years later. A few others who've heard the album didn't agree with my opinion but they are probably addicted to cocaine so their perspectives don't matter.