Seasons is the aptly named band -- based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania -- composed of siblings Mary-Kate Spring Lee, Peter Winter Lee, Mary-Teresa Summer Lee, Mary-Grace Autumn Lee and Mary-Clare Chun (Chinese for "Spring") Lee.

Mary-Kate dominates the album vocally and plays a gorgeous harp. Brother Peter does most of the instrumental heavy lifting, playing guitar, bodhran, hammered dulcimer, shaker and harmonica on this album as well as adding some vocals.

The Marys -Teresa, -Grace and -Clare, respectively, add mandolin, hammered dulcimer and fiddle. Rounding out the sound are guests Elijah Rader on drums, Jonathan Srour on Irish flute and Mike Wittrien on upright bass, plus Mary Callaghan, Aviva Match and Leora Match on vocals.

The music, written primarily by Mary-Kate and Peter, is strongly grounded in the Celtic traditions, with strong overtones of American folk. (They call it "vibrant Celtic nu-folk" on their website.) The music is expertly arranged, balancing diverse instruments in a pleasant, lively blend. Songs focus on the usual stuff of Celtic folk: love, parting, the sea and faith. And Mary-Kate, who sings on most of the tracks, belts them out with a cheery delight, bringing a bit of an Appalachian twang to the sound.

My favorites on this album are the first two tracks, "Cambridge Town" and "Heart's Downfall," the latter of which explains all the reasons why a highly sought-after woman chooses not to love the sailor, soldier, scholar and fiddler who pursue her affections, and "Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter," which confronts the fears of the sea.

Check out Seasons. You'll like 'em.

[ visit the artist's website ]