Seven Nations’ self-titled October 10th release is a step in a new direction. This mostly acoustic compilation of songs both old and new marks a turning point in Seven Nations’ history – major label support. Their distribution deal with Q Records (an offshoot of Atlantic Records) gives them the best of both worlds – artistic freedom and mainstream support.

The CD consists of nine tracks from July 2000’s "The Pictou Sessions", one from 1999’s The Factory, and two re-recorded pieces from 1997’s Big Dog the title track of which is first on the new album. On Big Dog, Kirk McLeod’s normally mellow vocals take on a grittier, harsher edge, driving home its strong, evocative lyrics. The next “new” track, "Under the Milky Way", is a peculiar mix of soulful, almost haunting lyrics and powerful head-banging instrumentals.

The nine tracks from "The Pictou Sessions" have been skillfully remastered, giving them the polish that "Pictou" lacked. There are several traditional pieces included from "Pictou", including “Jig in E Minor”, “The Pipe Set”, and “O’er the Moor and Amoung the Heather”, that ground the rock-n-roll in more Celtic roots. However, a few tunes from “Pictou” are missing, including some of McLeod’s best piano work (“Skyezinha/The Egret”), and the rollicking “A Rare Auld Time”. Still, this album has a sense of balance that showcases the band’s skills without too much glitz.

Once again, Seven Nations has demonstrated the depth of their talent by producing something that blends several aspects of their earlier albums. Wedged somewhere between The Factory and “Pictou”, this album brings out the best in both, paying homage to Seven Nations’ Celtic roots while still pushing the envelope toward something more mainstream.

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