Smithsonian
's
Sound Neighbours: Contemporary Music in Northern Ireland
strikes a winning balance between the old and new guard with straight-up
traditional
fare from the likes of
Cathal Hayden
(
"Splendid Isolation/Mrs. Lawries"
) and
Barry Kerr
"Ships in Full Sail/The Three Sisters,"
)
Celtic
-tinged
alternative rock
from
Neil Hannon
Divine Comedy
"Sunrise"
) and wistful
ballads
Bap Kennedy
"Shankill and the Falls"
Briege Murphy
"Verdant Braes of Screen"
). ~ James Christopher Monger