Local Ground

When Altan first lit up the folk scene in 1989 with the superb Horse With a Heart, critics and listeners alike heralded them as the future of traditional Celtic music. Slowly but surely the group lived up to its promise, delivering album after album of forward-thinking jigs, ballads, reels, and airs, but as the genre became flooded with likeminded acts, Altan records began to show signs of wear and tear, with keyboards and fretless bass replacing the band's signature acoustic -- but still very contemporary -- sound. Altan have managed to rediscover the spirit that originally moved them on Local Ground, their tenth studio release and third since leaving Green Linnet for the Narada label. The heavenly voice of lead singer/fiddler Maighread Ní Mhaonaigh has never sounded better, especially on standout ballads like "As I Roved Out" and "The Wind and Rain," and the group -- always a single organism -- rips through piece after piece like the bandmembers' lives depended on it. Other highlights include the fiery "Tommy Peoples/The Road to Cashel/The Repeal of the Union/Richie's Reel," the rousing traditional tale of young love -- with additional lyrics penned by Maighread's father -- "Éirigh 's Cuir Ort Do Chuid Éadaigh (Arise Now and Dress Yourself)," and the gorgeous closer -- an effective Altan tradition -- "Dún Do Shúil (Close Your Eyes)." ~ James Christopher Monger