Sea of No Cares
Great Big Sea's  canny blend of Celtic melodies, acoustic-guitar-driven rhythms, and thrilling  vocal harmonies have made them bestselling artists in their native Canada. OnSea of No Cares, they tweak their signature acoustic sound by adding  drums, electric guitar, Hammond organ, and even trumpet. But they never stray  far from their roots, and even when they crank up the volume on the raucous folk  song "The Scolding Wife," the droning electric guitar sounds more like an  extra-loud set of bagpipes than a rocker's sonic weapon. Each member of the band  contributes to the songwriting, and their output tends to be upbeat in both mood  and rhythm, as on the joyous odes to love and friendship "Stumbling In" and   "One True Way." As the title song "Sea of No Cares" implies, the music of Great  Big Sea is generally positive and sunny. But the inclusion of the old Celtic  seafaring ballads act as a reminder that although the sun is shining today, a  storm is never far away.--Michael Simmons