Like most contemporary musicians, Capercaillie has incorporated today's technology in their latest release, Beautiful Wasteland. Unlike most contemporary musicians, this added effect doesn't distract from Capercaillie's music -- it enhances it, while keeping the heart of Gaelic tradition in the fore.

The majority of Beautiful Wasteland was recorded in the Villa Torres, a house near Ronda in the mountains of Andalucia in southern Spain. The early morning sightings of Hale-Bopp provided a beautiful background, as well as acting as the inspiration of "Hebridean Hale-Bopp."

For both old and new fans of Capercaillie, Beautiful Wasteland offers up a wonderful selection of music. The drum 'n' bass rhythms of "Inexile" blend perfectly Karen Matheson's vocals and the mesmerizing sounds of North Africa's Paloma Loribo and Piruchi Apo. "The Tree" kicks into high gear with a strong beat, while fiddler Charlie McKerron sets a frenetic pace that dares you not to dance while "Co Ni Mire Rium" invites the listener to remember the simpler pleasures of life.

Besides Matheson on vocals and McKerron on fiddle, the band is Manus Lunny on bouzouki, acoustic guitar and backing vocals; John Saich on bass, acoustic guitar and backing vocals; Donald Shaw on keyboards and accordion; Wilf Taylor on drums; and Chimp on percussion and berenbow.

Beautiful Wasteland lives up to its name only in part. A wasteland it's not.