The Merry Sisters of Fate

The Merry Sisters of Fate
Studio album by Lúnasa
Released	21 May 2001
Recorded	2001
Studio	Marguerite Studios, Dublin
Genre	Celtic
Length	43:22
Label	Green Linnet
Producer	Lúnasa
Lúnasa chronology
Otherworld (1999) The Merry Sisters of Fate (2001) Redwood (2003)

The Merry Sisters of Fate is an album by Irish Celtic band Lúnasa that was released in 2001 on Green Linnet Records. It is the band's third major release, and first with pipe player Cillian Vallely. The record is characterised as particularly rhythm-heavy and showcasing the band experimenting more with rhythm and sound than on previous records, and features numerous instruments atypical to Celtic music, such as lap steel guitar, piano, harmonium and clarinet, played by a number of guest musicians. Rhythm, melody and strings vary as the foreground of the music, which largely consists of Irish tunes.

The album was released to a very positive reception from music critics, who praised the inventful arrangements and textures. The band toured internationally in promotion of the album. In 2002, Lúnasa were awarded British/Celtic Album of the Year for this album by the U.S. Association for Independent Music, whilst Mojo hailed the band "the new gods of Irish music" following the release.^[1] The Irish Echo and Hot Press also named it among the year's best albums.