Ceili Rain's self-titled debut CD gives us hopping dance tunes with a Celtic influence. These lyrics also have a decidedly Christian leaning, though the band's Web site and band members prefer the term "spiritual" and suggest most of the songs can be more broadly interpreted. Possibly, but any of these songs would be at home on most Christian radio stations. But the music is such fun, it's easy to overlook allegorical religious references.

The best of the bunch are "Peace Has Broken Out," a celebration of the Irish peace process, reminiscent of 1960s anthems; "Long Black Cadillac," a happy little tune about a hearse ride featuring some rowdy harmonica and fiddle playing; and "666 Degrees," the rockingest admonition of a Faustian encounter that I've ever heard. If the music is this good in Hell, it may be worth the price.

Two songs that combine Celtic and angelic well are "Love Travels," a song about being separated from a love that opens with faraway strains of bagpipes, and the group's theme song, "Ceili Rain." The soaring flute and fiddle melodies counter powerful lead vocals from Bob Halligan Jr.

The most overtly spiritual tune is an encounter with St. Peter regarding the concept of earthly deeds building a house in heaven. "That's All the Lumber You Sent" is a decidedly danceable tune about limited construction supplies. The fun "You Then Me Then You Then Me" with its moral of cooperation also fits into this category.

"Do It Anyway" opens with a slow intro of parental advice and speeds up to facing various fears throughout life. "I Wanna Be Different (just like everybody else)" is clever song exploring conforming in order to be unique. [Editor's note: Let's all be nonconformists together!] Once again, spiritual leaders are worked in to the song as examples of those who we should try to follow.

Buddy Connelly's button accordion lifts the love song "I Don't Need a Picture," which might be about earthly love if you want it to be. "Call Home" offers a touching view into a father/child relationship, and the hard-rocking ballad "The Big Snow" tells about a natural disaster that converted feuding neighbors into friends and features Rick Cua on bass guitar.

Songwriter Halligan, who has written for such diverse acts as Cher, Joan Jett, Judas Priest, Kathy Mattea and Michael Bolton, has assembled a talented group of "Rainfolk." In addition to Halligan on leads, guitar, piano and accordion; Connelly, the three-time Irish button accordion champion; and Cua, on bass and backup vocals, Ceili Rain includes Hunter Lee on various pipes, flutes and whistles; Cactus Moser on percussion; Tony Hopper on electric guitar and backup vocals; Michael McCanless on fiddle; and Chris Carmichael on fiddle, cello and backup vocals.

Ceili Rain, sometimes listed under the title Say KAY-lee, is a diverse, rollicking and, yes, spiritual celebration in music. Don't hold the religious symbology against them.