Although this band is Hungarian, fact is they could easily be from just about anywhere with this sound. The sound in question is an acoustic folk-rock led by dual female vocals, supplemented by fiddle, woodwinds (flute, tin whistle), guitars, banjos, bagpipes, bodhran, and so on. Three of the twelve pieces are written by the band, while the rest are arrangements of Irish, Scottish, Moldavian, and, well, even a Hungarian folk song. It’s a tribute to the band that the originals hold up as well as the rearrangements. It would be fair to point out that any number of bands have plied their trade in these waters; not just the Celtic folk bands, but similar schools such as the Breton folksters. What is of note here are the dual female vocals, each singer capable on her own and quite nicely harmonized, and the immaculate production values bringing the humblest of instruments into the mix. Only “I’m a Man” is a tad unconvincing, an Irish drinking song with its title as a central lyric in the verse, being sung by a lady; the pipes in the background sure are nice though. Fans of bands as diverse as Iona or Malicorne should find much beauty to appreciate in Hétrét.

Sean McFee