Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Led by successful American songwriter Rob Halligan Jnr who in the '80s penned top tunes for the cream of the rock fraternity of the day - Judas Priest, Kiss, etc, etc. In his own band he combines his strong sense of melody with his passion for Celtic sounds. Ceili Rain is music infused with party life so listening to the album is like celebrating St Patrick's Day! Lyrics that celebrate the wonder of faith without resorting to simplistic banality and tunes that you should happily whistle while you're walking down the street make this the strongest album from the band yet. Highlights include the happy "Hundred Smiles An Hour" which is all about first falling in love and then there's the story song "Everybody Clap For Everybody" which uses some straight forward sporting metaphors to remind us that we need to be encouragers. Kind of continuing that theme, the title song slows the pace and tells the moving story of the need for love and faith to make everything complete. Another favourite is the piano ballad "Everything Good Is You", complete with perfect melody and uplifting lyric. Ceili Rain make music that gently nudges unbelievers towards the light and helps believers to celebrate a humanity locked into the truth of faith. Not a bad achievement for a band pumping out the sounds of an Irish party! A must for those awaiting the next Electrics release.

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