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Fusing timeless pop-rock sensibilities with contemporary and age-old Celtic flavors, The Corrs' unique sound is Irish at its core and universal in its appeal. A quartet comprising sisters Andrea, Caroline, Sharon, and brother Jim, The Corrs popularity in the U.S. blossomed in the mid-90's and has thrived throughout a string of acclaimed releases. On Home, their latest album, The Corrs return to their roots-and their family legacy-with a selection of tunes lifted out of a treasured songbook of the late Jean Corr. Driven by the siblings' passion to shed new light on traditional songs and airs, this radiant collection features the crystal clear production and brilliant harmonies for which the band is renowned. It also presents two tracks in Gaelic, marking the first time The Corrs have recorded in their mother tongue.

Almost as famous for their killer cheekbones as their astounding musical chops, this Platinum-selling Irish family band (sisters Andrea, Caroline and Sharon plus brother, Jim) has cut a major swath, garnering an international fan-base with their Celtic-flavored electrified pop and feisty live shows. They decided to cut an album of mostly traditional songs as a memorial to their mother, Jean, a musician and song collector who died in 1999. But as with Sinead O’Connor’s 2002 Sean-Nos Nua, their treatments, while perfectly authentic, also reflect their more usual style. The opening selection, a spooky lullaby called "My Lagan Love", features martial-sounding drums, washes of parlor piano and banked strings straight out an Arab-Andalouse orchestra. "Peggy Gordon", about unrequited love, has a retro folk-rock back-beat that works beautifully with the plaintive vocals. "Old Hag" is a rollicking instrumental while the Irish-language "Buachaill On Eirne" and "Brid Og Ni MHaille", if a tad unidiomatic, do not lack charm. But the track that lingers longest in the ear is "Dimming Of The Day", a gloriously moving ballad from the pen of British singer-songwriter Richard Thompson. --Christina Roden