Double Indemnity has polished up its act through years on the Renaissance faire circuit, and the album Cows in the Castle is clear evidence why the band remains so popular.

A lively mix of tunes, rowdy songs and ballads, Cows in the Castle features the artistry of Carl Asch (vocals, whistles, guitar), Gabriele Decker (English concertina, vocals, bones), Lynda Kavy (vocals and a variety of percussion) and Frank O'Gara (mandolin, bouzouki, fiddle, vocals). A large number of guest musicians round out the sound even more.

The album begins with the lively "Raggle Taggle Gypsies," a traditional song about a stolen heart. Carl's strong vocals set the tone for rest of the album; while he doesn't sing on every track, his voice is definitely one of the band's greatest strengths.

Other tracks include the traditional "Dunnenkirk & the Gypsy," a touching song about a misshapen boy who finds peace away from the gaze of uncaring strangers; "The Common Weave," a love song merging lyrics by Ciara Carinci with a tune by Turlough O'Carolan; and the mellow "Nature Boy." The rollicking "A Toast to Love & Marriage" applies Carl's original words to the popular tune of "The Rocky Road to Dublin" -- and the conflicting advice from the singer's parents on romance and marital bliss might be enough to cause anyone to live alone for life.

Gabriele sings a gorgeous, wistful lead for the tragic "John Cumber's Maiden," a song of loss voiced by the woman left behind. Lynda takes over for a hidden track, "The Looney Lucy Song," which will be familiar to anyone who knows her character from the faire circuit. Set to the tune of "Little Beggarman," Lynda has written her own, bawdier version. OK, she maybe adds "if you know what I mean" a time or two too many, but that's only a small complaint.

Carl retakes the lead for the final track, "Beggars to God," a very beautiful and moving song by Bob Franke -- ostensibly another gypsy song -- with the following invocation as its chorus:

Cows in the Castle also includes several excellent instrumental sets: "Blacksmith Reel/Sailor on the Rock/Humors of Tulla," "Cows in the Castle/Kesh Jig," "Inesheer Aire/Scarce o' Tatties/Black Nag" and "The Butterfly/Drowsy Maggie." Not only are the sets tight and exciting, they also show enough individual flair to prove that Double Indemnity has added its own sense of style to the performance; these aren't just traditional tunes played as they've always been played.

All in all, Cows in the Castle is an album worth searching for.