The first clue that The Prodigals aren't 100 percent traditional is the drum kit supporting the accordion at the beginning of the first track, "Dunmore Chix." (The title of the track is another strong hint.) Then, just when you're starting to think the drums are a minor addition to an otherwise traditional sound, the rest of the band kicks in, and you know -- these guys are pumped.

The Prodigals sold me this CD after I stumbled upon their performance at the 1998 Guinness Fleadh in New York City. It was no mistake, this is really good -- if nontraditional -- stuff. The Prodigals are Sean McCabe on vocals, guitar and piano, Andrew Harkin on bass, Gregory Grene on vocals and button-key accordion, Brian Boru Tracey on drums and percussion, and Alex Tobias on vocals, harmonicas, fiddle and jaw harp. For this self-titled recording, they're joined by Jon Garelick (mandolin) and Andriette Redmann (backing vocals) on two tracks.

If you need one good reason to buy this album, you'll find it on track two: "Ballybay." This lively, rap-like and, yes, traditional song tells the tale of a one-legged woman, her courtships, marriage, widowhood and such. Trust me, you'll love it! They also put out a funky harmonica and accordion version of "Star of Munster" which will keep your toes tapping. "Jaw of Life" is perhaps the cleverest use for a jaw harp I've ever heard. Sometimes, however, the band wanders a little far afield, sounding too bluegrassy for my taste on tracks like "Bowling Green" and "Cumberland Beggar" (which redeems itself with a rollicking instrumental version of "The Little Beggarman" at the end).

The tracks are largely traditional -- even "Dunmore Chix" is a Prodigals' arrangement of a few traditional melodies which, unfortunately, the band declined to identify in the sparse liner notes. The original tracks -- McCabe's "Moving On" and "Away from Home," and Grene's "Rain" -- round out the play-list without adding or detracting a whole lot to the overall success of the album.