After a three-year layoff that triggered speculation about the existence and future of this popular Scottish band, they answered in resounding fashion with
In Search of Angels. This album introduces new lead singer Bruce Guthro from Canada. He fills in more than adequately for the longtime singer
Donnie Munro who departed after
Mara to pursue other interests. Since Guthro sounds quite a bit like
Munro and the songwriting tandem of percussionist
Calum MacDonald and bassist Rory MacDonald remains in tact,
Munro's absence appears less an issue than initially thought.
Runrig returns to the more anthemic folk-pop sound of their '80s albums like
Heartland (1985), Cutter and the Clan (1987), and
Searchlight (1988). The lengthy, ambient approach that defined
Amazing Things (1993) and
Mara (1995) is noticeably absent on this recording. ~ Dave Sleger