"It's all brand-new," claim Great Big Sea on their new disc. That might be stretching it a bit.

These hard-working Celtic folk-popsters haven't exactly reinvented their musical wheel for their eight album Something Beautiful. But they've definitely shined it up all nice and purty. Produced by Canadian veteran Michael Phillip Wojewoda -- perhaps best known for his work with the likes of Barenaked Ladies and Rheostatics -- this 13-track set is the most catchy, contemporary and commercial effort of Great Big Sea's 12-year recording career.

Don't get us wrong; the strummy acoustic guitars and fiddles and whistles and bodhrans and whatnot are all still here. But they take a very distinct back seat to the crafted pop hooks, singalong choruses, layered harmonies and crisp, radio-ready production of cuts like Shines Right Through Me, When I am King, Beat the Drum and Sally Ann. Admittedly, none of it sounds bad -- but we'd be lying if we said it didn't also sound a bit calculated.

More satisfying, at least to our ears, is the second half of the disc, when Wojewoda stops trying to turn GBS into BNL and lets them return to their more traditional comfort zone. Here is where you'll find the simple and pretty ballad Lucky Me; the stark and sombre sailing tale John Barbour; the rambunctious Chafe's Celidh; and the kitchen-party rink-rat raveup Helmethead.

Of course, none of those cuts will probably end up on the radio, while the earlier ones will. But we're not going to scream sellout at Great Big Sea for wanting to broaden their appeal, or stretch a bit -- or just make a few bucks off a hit single. They've earned it.

Even so, it's tough not to think that Something Beautiful could have been something better.

Track Listing
1. Shines Right Through
2. When I am King
3. Beat the Drum
4. Helmethead
5. Summer
6. Sally Ann
7. Somedays
8. Let it Go
9. John Barbour
10. Lucky Me
11. Love
12. Chafe's Celidh