MYTHS AND MUSES

Plucking inspiration from LOREENA MCKENNITT's later and more worldly exploits, UK band SERPENTYNE proposes a series of trance-inducing takes on traditional pieces from the Celtic diaspora and beyond. So, while the mere presence of "Gaudete" and "Rosebud in June" may shout out modern day STEELEYE SPAN from the nearest rain soaked hills, there is thankfully more than a little whirling dervish in even these interpretations that negates any superfluity.

Maggie Beth-Sands possesses a sultry and authoritative voice that swirls about the interpretations on a slyly unlikely concoction of the ultra trad and the electronically polished. "Valkyries" and "Freya' s Firedance" are perhaps the most brilliant homage to the seemingly incompatible elements on display here, from the demented vocal harmonies to the breakneck hurdy gurdy. A couple of tunes sung in French channel the band's inner MALICORNE meets the MCGARRIGLE sisters, which only heightens the sense of open minded exploration, and validates the use of Breton instrumentation, whether anyone asked for it or not. If another version of "Pastyme with Good Company" has you preparing to burn your BLACKMORE's NIGHT CDs in ritual effigy, do give this one a listen, as further proof that this band lacks not for inventiveness.

It certainly doesn't get easier to interpret some of this oft covered material in a manner that not only prevents petrification (or even putrefaction) but actually freshens it. SERPENTYNE has accomplished this feat, making them one of the more worthy proponents of new/neo folk music.