ALBUM REVIEWS : * 1/2 Clannad, “Lore,” Atlantic.

Clannad, one of the best-known Irish music groups, has mastered the technique of blending folk-like melodies with dark-textured instrumental sounds. But the best tracks in this attractive mix of pop-oriented and traditional-sounding tunes are those that remain closest to Clannad’s Donegal roots. New albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent).