They both have a Gaelic name of two syllables, but you won't be confusing this album of more authentic and organic folk from Alyth with the synth-clogged Enya (and she's Scottish not Irish anyway). Neither are likely to target the typical TLOBF demographic in all honesty - but there are many elements here that anyone with an ear for any kind of folk can admire and indeed actively enjoy. Top of that list of course is Alyth's gorgeous voice with its pure rich windswept clarity and Celtic rolled r's that ripple like breakers concealing the controlled power beneath the restful swell. The flawless accompanying musicians also make a winning contribution. Raised on Lewis in the Hebrides, Alyth McCormack rightly draws heavily on those local roots of course; but she did study a variety of styles at Glasgow's RSAMD before performing and touring extensively around the world with many groups, taking to the stage in operas, and has featured on over a dozen albums. This is her second solo recording after 2000's An Iomall (The Edge).It is the interpretations of traditional Gaelic tunes that are most enjoyable - those melodies having stood the test of time and despite her other creative experiments find Alyth at her most naturally involved. Perhaps sometimes it's better to let go and forget your training. The spicy upbeat Gaelic tongue twisters of the English titled medley 'The Vices Set' and the lovely lightly adorned 'Dh'fhag E Gun Chadel Am Dhusgadh Mi' are the stand outs. The choice of several of the English songs however (also none from her own hand) is often a let down, needing time to recover from an early stumble with the cover of Suzanne Vega's contrived (as written) and unmoving (as performed) trad-pastiche 'The Queen And The Soldier' and slumping further with the clunky lyrics of eco-song 'Neptune': "Don't oil my beaches, don't slaughter my whales / Don't cross me with diesel, cross me with sail". Only the hymnal 'I Wonder What's Keeping My True Love Tonight' and 'A Smugglers's Prayer, the latter provided by the ever reliable Boo Hewerdine, prove great choices and go some way to repairing the damage by the end.Elements of jazz-fusion are often present: highlighted by supporting alto-sax that oozes its way into the mix at times. The hypnotic trance like rhythm of 'Chaidil Mi Raoir Air An Airrigh' is a successful crossover, whilst in another shift of direction a couple of tracks, the title being one, are borderline Barbara Dickson territory (though having said that 'January February' is a bit of a guilty pleasure). It is hard to get enthusiastic about this release as a complete entity, even though its various bi-lingual styles do flow together nicely under its consistent warm tone. She's sure to make a decent living touring to the Celtic diaspora in North America at the very least. To turn the album title inside out, Alyth is many people, plural, on this album. Some you'd want as best mates whilst chilling out, but you'd wouldn't invite them all round to yours. They'd never be any danger of them trashing the place, but you wouldn't want to get stuck in a corner spending too much time with others. Best keep mingling. 56%Alyth on MySpace