Choice Language is the latest and arguably the best studio album from Capercaillie. The band's current line up of eight members remains the same as it was on Live in Concert: Che Beresford on drums, David Robertson on percussion, Karen Matheson on lead vocals, Manus Lunny on bouzouki, guitar and vocals, Donald Shaw on accordion, piano, synthesizers and background vocals, Michael McGoldrick on whistles, flutes, uillean pipes and bodhran, Charlie McKerron on fiddle and Ewen Vernal on basses.

The majority of the English-language songs and instrumental tunes are originals written by members of the band. Gaelic songs are abundant and as on previous albums receive the "Capercaillie Treatment." This involves taking a traditional Gaelic song, adding modern and original arrangements while still using traditional instruments, then adding loops and samples. The treatment is then completed with Matheson's breathtaking voice. The end result is a very modern-sounding song with its heart and soul bathed in Celtic tradition. The CD opens with one such song. "Mile Marbhaisg air ghaol (A Thousand Curses on Love)" is a wonderful Barra version of a well-known waulking (working) song Matheson learned from Flora MacNeil. You immediately get a great taste of her fabulous voice and the wonderful modern vibe of Capercaillie's music.

This great vibe is continued with "Homer's Reel," a tune written by McGoldrick that has quickly become a fan favorite. It was written while the band was recording on an island off the west coast of Italy, and McGoldrick says the tune is in praise of the Greek god Homer [sic] as well as another great philosopher -- Homer Simpson. Another great instrumental set is "The Sound of Sleat." As there are only three instrumental tracks on the CD, you won't find a lot of jigs, slides and reels. However, you will discover a "Sort of Slides." The liner notes describe this set of tunes as "Three slides. Sort of." I love this description as is shows off a bit of Capercaillie's fun and lively side.

This also comes through in "Port na Caillich (The Old Crone)." This song was learned from field recordings of Margaret MacKay and is about a man who is glad his wife is dead. I don't know if its original meaning was meant to be in good fun, but the way the song is played and sung always makes me smile and sing along -- despite not knowing what I'm singing. (I hope there are no hidden microphones in my house!)

On a more somber note, Capercaillie recorded a bothy ballad on this album. "I Will Set My Ship in Order" is a very sad story that takes place near the sea about unrequited and lost love. Matheson's voice and the music are so filled with emotion that you will not be able to resist being pulled into this story. Warning: McGoldrick's uillean pipe intertwined with Matheson's voice at the most emotional parts of the song could make you feel like weeping.

There are three other English-language songs on the CD, all of them written by Shaw (who, besides being a great songwriter, is very much in demand as a composer and producer). The words and music he writes are very profound and moving. "The Boy Who" is about children living in the west bank of Jerusalem who are said to have second sight. Another wonderful song is "Little Do They Know," which was written about a well-liked politician the week after he died.

Little did Capercaillie know that one of the Gaelic songs recorded for this album would make a touching personal connection to one of their own families. At a September 2003 concert at the Kent Stage, Matheson shared that when she played the CD for her mother, she was told a family story she had not heard before. Matheson's grandfather used to sing "Nuair a chi thu caileag bhoidheach" to her mother while she was seated on his knee. This was very moving to her as she never knew her grandfather.

This entire album is full of modern music fused with Celtic tradition. There is not one weak track and is a must-have for Capercaillie fans and lovers of great Celtic music.