Hangin' at the Crossroads does exactly what it should do -- it transports me back to the first time I saw the Ceili Bandits in the crowded McGann's Pub in Doolin, Co. Clare, on the west coast of Ireland. There, the band held court on several evenings during my too-brief stay, consuming a great many pints and utterly captivating each night's standing-room-only crowd with their relaxed, yet polished style.

The band works together with the ease of a well-oiled, well-practiced machine. Leading the way is Yvonne Casey, a talented young Irish fiddler with an incredibly fluid style. Rounding out the trio are Eoin O'Neill on bouzouki and Quentin Cooper on guitar, mandolin and, on two tracks, dijeridu. Yes, they even make that oh-so-Australian instrument sound like a natural part of an Irish pub band.

A guest on the album (or, as they put it, "honorary bandit") is Kevin Griffin on banjo. I'm not a big fan of banjos in Irish bands, but Griffin blends so seamlessly into the mix that it never sounds out of place here.

For an amazing dozen tracks of pure Irish pub musicality, find yourself a copy of Hangin' at the Crossroads and pour yourself a pint. You'll be listening for a good long while.