Rebecca Swain wrote this review.
I like this Christian Celtic album very much (it is also available under the name Ceili Rain.) It is cheerful, enthusiastic, and well-crafted. Those people who are more comfortable with a bleak, cynical view of life will not like it, nor will those who are mistrustful of Christianity. However, those looking for a positive alternative will enjoy it. I think the warmth and optimism expressed here are as valid as any of the darker emotions expressed by musicians today.
Some of the songs are overtly Christian, mentioning St. Peter, 666, and Bethlehem, but as a rule the lyrics aren’t preachy or harshly judgmental. They can be interpreted as an invitation to find and adhere to a moral standard, which most people do whether they are devoutly religious or not. “That’s All the Lumber You Sent” explores how we build our lives and futures with our present actions. “You Then Me Then You Then Me” is about doing unto others, which is not an exclusively Christian precept. “Do It Anyway” is about taking life-affirming risks.
“I Don’t Need a Picture of You,” “Love Travels” (one of my favorites), and “Call Home” are lovely, sincere songs about love — family love, romantic love, religious love, whatever is most meaningful to the listener. “Ceili Rain” is about having a party. (Apparently “Ceili rain,” loosely translated, means “heavenly party.”) “Peace Breaks Out” is a ballad featuring bagpipes.
When you read the album credits, you see the names of such instruments as the tin whistle, Irish flute, and Highland and uilleann pipes. Celtic, you think. Then you slide in the disc, and voila! Pop music bounces out of your speakers. Admittedly it has a distinctively Celtic sound, but this is not traditional Irish or Scottish music. The Celtic-ness here is more of an accent, a decoration for the catchy, upbeat rock songs Bob Halligan has written. Hardcore Celtophiles might not find this album satisfying musically; but for me, a person who thinks a little Celtic goes a long way, it is an interesting addition to the drums and guitar.
Most of the tracks are up-tempo and cheerful, even those that deal with serious subjects. “Long Black Cadillac” is about lying in a hearse, but the rousing harmonica doesn’t bode well for a peaceful rest. “666 Degrees” is about the possibility of going to Hell, but it sounds like an Irish dance tune. “I Want to be Different” is bouncy and singable.
Apparently the band lineup has changed over time. Bob Halligan, songwriter and lead vocalist, remains the leader, but the names of the band members on the Ceili Rain website are different from the names of the musicians on the album. Therefore, the band may have a different sound in concert than it does on the album.
(Punch, 1997)
