Once in a while there is an album that really holds together, like this one. The cover even gives a good idea of the music. Like the Irish instruments on the cover, like the austere landscape on the inside spread, the music here is a little barbaric, a little worn and used and bracingly clean and attractive.

There are no Irish ballads; in fact, the only lyrics are "dye-de-dye-de-dye" on "Kerry Slides." It's by way of a demonstration of the riches of traditional Irish instrumental music, even including a medley from an 18th-century musician who, according to tradition, composed a baroque concerto just to show that this Italian named Geminiani who was residing in Dublin was no better than a blind Irish harpist.

The performers (there are not five of them, as you might suspect from the album title; it's the Chieftains' fifth album) are extremely good at what they do, in itself not extraordinary in Dublin, where there are a lot of good Irish musicians. What makes the Chieftains stand out above any Irish music you may have heard is their varied and exciting arrangements. They are in this sense the Irish equivalent of the Koutev ensemble that made a lot of people aware of Bulgarian music a few years ago.

The recording goes a long way toward capturing the gorgeous enormities of Irish music; the rich bleating of the Irish bagpipe (a sweeter-sounding instrument than the Scottish war pipes), the classically ornate jig-time fiddling, the lightheaded good will of the tin whistle and an occasional word from the Irish harp and drum, among other instruments. Because of the genius of Irish melody, it produces a curious effect when you play it — it makes you gently cheerful, cheerful in a way that permits you to be a little bit heartbroken at the same time (and even subtly sarcastic in the Irish manner). If I had to pick the most attractive tracks, I guess I'd take the gossamer, romantically sweet "Samhradh, Samhradh (Summertime, Summertime)," "Tabhair Dom Do Lámh (Give Me Your Hand)" for its rich melody and the stirring, rhythmic "Timpán Reel." But it's tough to choose.

And can you dance to it? Go along with you now. Sure you can, if you can be cheerful and heartbroken at the same time. (RS 206)

CHARLES PERRY