Tip Toe

This is the debut from Kila percussionist and vocalist Ronan O'Snodaigh. It begins with the colorful "When in Rome," which comes across as a Penguin Café Orchestra piece with lyrics, accentuated by charango, bouzouki, and percussion with a recurring yet pleasing melody. This is a noticeable departure from the wildly rhythmic and esoteric Kila. For starters, all 12 tracks on Tip Toe include lyrics with singing, something Kila incorporated into its music on sparing occasions and when it did, almost exclusively in Irish Gaelic. Here, O'Snodaigh sings all of his songs in English. This is a laid-back, hypnotizing collection of songs in their simplicity. In fact, the lush and swirling melodies on several selections resemble Simon Jeffes' Penguin Café Orchestra. The supporting cast of musicians includes former Kila bassist Ed Kelly and cameo appearances by Kila bassist Brian Hogan, flutist Colm O'Snodaigh, and Irish piper Eoin Dillon. The beautiful title track, which originally appeared on Tóg é Go Bog E, concludes this album in the same understated yet resplendent fashion that characterizes this entire album.