Cd Leahy - In All Things Lacrado (chieftains Celta Clannad)

It's hard to feel sorry for Leahy, given that they've enjoyed plenty of success. But artistically, they seem to be stuck betwixt the commercial Celtic pop idea (edging into country on a couple of tracks, like "Coyote Way") and something more hardcore. It's a difficult balancing act, but this strays more to the real Celtic music side of things, with other ideas cropping up mostly during the songs. There are new age Clannad touches here and there, but they're kept small, letting the band's instrumental prowess ? which is quite formidable ? shine through often, as on "Pointe au Pic Medley" and "Gzowski Medley," where they show the kind of qualities that could make them huge on the folk festival circuit, if they chose to go that way. Of course, instead they've pursued a more mainstream path, and done it very well, which necessitates a balancing act. Curiously, although they all shine as players, the vocals are by far the weakest part of their presentation. Not awful by any means, but just not in the same class. Still, even for purists, there's plenty to enjoy here ? although no real indication as to how traditional their ideas really are (although the influence is evident in the instrumentals). The real question now is how far they can take this without becoming the Corrs, and exactly where the future will take them.