Celtic music redux

Word association time: "Celtic Music". If you find yourself thinking of pale young women with ethereal voices draped artistically over castle walls, it's time to give the music of the Scots and Irish a second chance. We have a few CDs here at the library - not new, but definitely worth a listen - that will get your speakers thumping.
If I Should Fall From Grace With God is by the cream of Irish punk: the Pogues. Definitely not their most raucous album, If I Should Fall is arguably their best. They blend traditional tunes with a modern punk rhythm and the result is fantastic. Some of the lyrics are very poignant ("Thousands are sailing"), while other tracks are just plain fun. I challenge you to sit still while you listen to "Fiesta".
A newer generation of the Pogues is the U.S-based band Flogging Molly. A hugely popular live band, especially with the college-age set, Flogging Molly blends traditional instruments with electric guitars and a screaming punk sound. You can still hear the beauty of the mandolin, tin whistle and uileann pipes, but this music is definitely in your face. Their album title - Swagger - is truth in advertising. Basically, it's young Irish pub music (as opposed to old farmer Irish pub music).
For more of a grunge sound, rather than punk, you can try Hi How Are You Today by Canadian fiddler Ashley MacIssac. Some of the tunes are pretty traditional Maritimes fare, but some of the other songs ("What an idiot he is" and "Rusty D-con-STRUCK-tion") are absolutely modern. And, after all, not all Celtic music is influenced by the Irish.