This is
Ceili Rain's second studio album. We're Making a Party, the independent live album released in 1999, unveiled two of the tracks contained here ("It Only Tickles When You Do It" and "Tween the Jigs and the Reels") as well as the new
Ceili Rain lineup. Only singer/songwriter Bob Halligan and accordionist Buddy Connolly remain from the debut,
Ceili Rain. The band's style, though, hasn't been affected in the least. Halligan's thoughtful lyrics and irresistible melodies continue to broaden the scope of modern Celtic (or Celtic-influenced) music. A mainstream pop style with folk instruments and an innocent and uplifting nature make
Ceili Rain unique in the realm of folk-rock music. Connolly and piper/fiddler Burt Mitchell provide accomplished Irish-styled playing, and fiddler Gretchen Priest adapts her style to suit the band's Celtic, pop, and rock meanderings. In addition to the Irish musical styles on this recording, the jubilant title track boasts a Caribbean beat, Mexican brass, and Cajun accordion.
Ceili Rain's smart pop/rock lies somewhere between
the Corrs and
Great Big Sea. Thankfully, it lacks the schmaltz and contrivance of the former but also absent is the incidental alternative edge of the latter. ~ Dave Sleger