It's an eye-catching cover: two beautiful Irish women, presumably the principals of the band, all pale skin and yards of red hair, plus some sort of flowing white attire that seems just this side of translucent. ("Rua," aptly enough, is Irish for "red hair" -- while not as common in Ireland as most people seem to believe, it's still a delightful visual stereotype.)

OK, so Rua grabbed my attention; holding it is another matter. Fortunately, that isn't a problem.

Singer Liz Madden has a gorgeous voice, equal parts Loreena McKennitt and Kate Bush. Arrangements are lush and full, with roots buried deeply in tradition and branches stretching into pop, symphonic and even a hint of London stage musicals.

Gloria Mulhall leads the impressive musical team, providing violin, piano, keyboards and timpani. She's not alone, however; the Rua String Ensemble (led by Mircea Petcu, directed by John Finucane) and an array of talented musicians provide substantial accompaniment.

Both Madden and Mulhall are classically trained musicians, but they're equally passionate about Irish folk music -- and they share a mutual disdain for musical boundaries. They cross lines with abandon, and the result is stunning.

The album includes only a handful of traditional songs -- "Fear an Bhata," "She Moved Thro' the Fair," "Gaol of Cluain Meala" and "Fill a Ruin O." The rest are band originals, and it's an excellent collection. Personal favorites are "Garden of Graves," "That Kiss" and the nonsensical "Dum Dumda Diddle." Don't stop there, every track is a beautiful addition to your Celtic music collection.

Rua is a bold introduction to a new band, and I am very eager to hear their next release. This is a musical team worth watching.