Pastpresent is an anthology spanning five
Clannad albums from 1982 to 1989. The full range of the band's styles are presented here, from the gorgeous a cappella song that opens the album, to slick pop/rock, acoustic guitar ballads, Irish folk strains, and sophisticated power pop crunch. Along the way, we are treated to a lyrical harp and flute instrumental, several songs sung in Gaelic, and two new pieces (recorded, in part, at
Peter Gabriel's Real World Studios), designed to make this retrospective a collector's item.
Pastpresent, clocking in at 65 minutes, succeeds in offering an overview of the many faces of this seminal Irish group.