by Dave SlegerAfter a three-year layoff that triggered speculation about the existence and future of this popular Scottish band, they answered in resounding fashion with In Search of Angels. This album introduces new lead singer Bruce Guthro from Canada. He fills in more than adequately for the longtime singer Donnie Munro who departed after Mara to pursue other interests. Since Guthro sounds quite a bit like Munro and the songwriting tandem of percussionist Calum MacDonald and bassist Rory MacDonald remains in tact, Munro's absence appears less an issue than initially thought. Runrig returns to the more anthemic folk-pop sound of their '80s albums like Heartland (1985), Cutter and the Clan (1987), and Searchlight (1988). The lengthy, ambient approach that defined Amazing Things (1993) and Mara (1995) is noticeably absent on this recording.