Sea of No Cares

1	Sea of No Cares 3:41
2	Penelope 2:44
3	Clearest Indication 4:13
4	Scolding Wife 3:08
5	Stumbling In 3:20
6	A Boat Like Gideon Brown 2:55
7	Widow in the Window 5:22
8	French Perfume 3:05
9	Yarmouth Town 2:33
10	Barque in the Harbour 3:44
11	Own True Way 3:52
12	Fortune 2:53

Barnes & Noble

While their name conjures up visions of infinite distances, the sound cooked up by this Canadian combo is all about bridging the gap -- bringing listeners in to a Celt-pop party that never seems to stop. Not quite as rowdy as the Pogues, not nearly as serious as U2, the Sea flow along with an electric energy, but one that's tempered by a warm sense of tradition. The quartet is at its best when interpreting traditional songs, many culled from the rich musical heritage of Eastern Canada. On this outing, the Sea take on "Yarmouth Town" and "Scolding Wife," both of which reel along with gusto, spinning madly in the intersection of Celtic folk and barroom rock. In contrast to earlier discs, Sea of No Cares makes a prominent place for conventional rock rhythms, an addition that may give pause to diehard folkies but one that works quite well on the title track and the sunny "Clearest Indication." Still, much of the album's charm emanates from the warm interplay between the simplest of instruments -- particularly Sean McCann's tin whistles and bodhrans and Bob Hallett's accordion and concertina -- and the abundant joy with which the musicians wield them. No cares at all, just the anticipation of an enjoyable journey ahead. David Sprague

All Music Guide

Another attempt at combining traditional and pop musics with skillful handlings of Celtic instrumentation and mainstream rock songcrafting. Nevertheless, Great Big Sea's sound has begun develop a staleness here due to each new album's thematic and sonic similarities. The album runs the gamut of tempos, from ballads to rollicking chanteys, and it's closing track, "Fortune," is an energetic reel in the manner of crowd-pleaser "Mari-Mac." ~ Travis Drageset, All Music Guide