"Iris" are five women from Colorado, who perform a mixture of original and traditional material in the contemporary folk vein. The nature of existence, ephemeral yet everlasting, is the subject of the first cut, "All Things Are Connected"; the repetitive refrain drives the message home. The urgency of the bass motif fuels "Sweet Guru Child," the unison harmony of "Calling Me Open," (an original) gently flavors the melody with an honest sobriety of centuries past. Several tracks have subtle percussion, some of it vocal, adding energy and momentum. Iris' sound is tight and tuneful, and their songwriting and repertoire is eclectic without becoming obscure.