Following in the
folk-pop
path carved out on her 2003 release
Distant Shore
, ex-
Solas
vocalist
Karan Casey
trades in her covers- and
traditionals
-heavy repertoire for a collection that relies on mostly self-penned material.
Chasing the Sun
eschews -- for the most part -- the
Celtic
side of
Casey
for a more
contemporary folk
style that suits the Irish siren's gorgeous voice. With minimal but effective accompaniment she waxes on about everything from drink to politics with the breezy but cautious air of a songbird that has seen as much sorrow as it has beauty. Lovely
a cappella
pieces like
"Jimmy Whelan"
and
"Brown and Yellow Ale"
hark back to the singer's
days, showcasing the flawless intonation and smooth delivery that have made her one of the genre's most consistently gratifying singer, but this
ballad
-heavy collection often lulls the listener away from the song itself, leaving them delightfully melancholy but ultimately detached. ~ James Christopher Monger