Rego Irish Records - Borrowed Heaven

The Corrs: Andrea Corr (vocals, whistle); Jim Corr (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, keyboards); Sharon Corr (violin, background vocals); Caroline Corr (drums, bodhran, percussion, background vocals). Additional personnel: Tim Pierce, Anto Drennan (guitar); Jeff Babko, Jim McGorman (piano); John Button (double bass); Pecka Erkesjo (bass guitar); John O'Brien (programming); Ladysmith Black Mambazo (background vocals). Recording information: Westland, Dublin, Ireland; Tweek, Los Angeles, California; Joe's Garage, Johannesburg, South Africa. Though the Corrs are seldom mentioned without commenting on the sibling quartet's strikingly good looks, there's no doubt that the Irish musicians' energetic hybrid sound more than justifies their worldwide superstar status. Composed of ultra-catchy modern pop with intermittent dollops of traditional Celtic music, the group's style evokes an unlikely pairing of ABBA and the Chieftains. With BORROWED HEAVEN, the band focuses primarily on the radio-ready side of its musical equation, but still flawlessly blends tin whistle, Irish fiddle, and bodhran into the mix. On several tracks, the Corrs expand their palette even further, adding hip-hop-style production on "Humdrum" and a touch of Africa on the title track with a guest spot from Ladysmith Black Mambazo. As usual, Andrea Corr's sensual voice is the album's focal point, and on the jazzy Bono/Gavin Friday-penned "Time Enough for Tears," she melds the best vocal qualities of Marilyn Monroe and Norah Jones.