Great Big Sea - Something Beautiful

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Music reviews of Something Beautiful

Music Review: Something close to beautiful
Rating: 4 Stars

Starting off on the right foot is "Shines Right Through Me," followed by rounds of deliciously bouncy rockers like the catchy "When I Am King," the thumping "Beat the Drum," and trite but amusing "Love." But a quieter sensibility shines through in the gentle "Something Beautiful" and sweetly romantic "Summer," and their pub-crawler humor bounces out in the rollicking "Helmethead." The album finishes off on a traditional note with the danceable instrumental "Chafe's Celidh."

Great Big Sea strayed from their old sound in their last release, "Sea of No Cares," going more toward a typical electric-guitar sound than their usual blend of rock and fun Celtic music. Here they're back in fine form, presenting the sort of songs that you'd expect to hear on a Saturday night, as pubcrawlers dance on the tables.

The music is well-rounded, and polished with long experience. The guys effortlessly juggle the guitar, fiddle, accordian, and banjo with slightly more exotic instruments like the bodhran, the bouzouki, the mandola, and little whistles and pipes. It's mostly acoustic, although it is tainted with a few electric riffs and flourishes that sound out of place, like the harder-edged opener of "Shine Right Through Me."

Alan Doyle's voice is a little rough, but full and lively. He can wistfully murmur ballads and roar out hilarious songs about falling in love with all the wrong girls. The songs have their bad moments -- "Love" is effective as an anti-war anthem, except for the "la la la love" part -- but overall they have the same bouncy, vibrant quality as the music itself. "Goodbye! Fare thee well!" the guys roar without an ounce of levity. "Don't ever trust a fella with a helmet on his head." Words to live by.

"Something" isn't entirely beautiful, but it is a solid return to the lovable pub-rock sound that made Great Big Sea so popular in Canada and the U.S. A satisfying dose of Celt-rock.

Description of Something Beautiful

Folk CDs

• Music > Styles
• World Music
• New Age
• Pop
• Rock