I've never understood why Ireland's the Saw Doctors aren't more popular in America. Maybe it's because I've loved this band - or at least assumed I would - before I ever even heard them.

My first exposure to the Saw Doctors came when I read a small article back in the '90s about guitarist/vocalist Leo Moran visiting Asbury Park, N.J., to soak in Bruce Springsteen history during one of the band's Northeast U.S. tours. The band earned immediate points with me for being Springsteen fans.

I was intrigued when I read more about them: hard-working, great live performers, memorable hooks, rousing choruses, relatable lyrics (even to someone who's not Irish and had never been to Ireland), and an addictive musical mix of rock, power-pop and folk, with a handful of authentic Irish sounds thrown in.

I was curious enough to purchase their 1998 album "Songs From Sun Street" without hearing a single song. I loved the album and have been a fan ever since.

The band is in town tonight at the Theater of Living Arts during their annual spring U.S. tour. The Saw Doctors on St. Patrick's Day. It doesn't get any better.

The Saw Doctors are touring behind their seventh studio album, "The Further Adventures ... of the Saw Doctors," released last fall. The disc is a worthy addition to their impressive recorded canon.

It's considerably mellower than much of their earlier work; there are only two flat-out rockers - the gritty "Hazard" and the bouncy "Well Byes" - and no rollicking singalongs such as "I Useta Love Her," "N17" or "Never Mind the Strangers" or instant classics such as "Exhilarating Sadness" or "Share the Darkness."

But "Takin' the Train" gets the album off to a spirited start, and "Someone Loves You" is among the most beautiful songs the band has written. The second half of the disc consists of mostly midtempo numbers and lacks the big hooks that the band was known for in its earlier days, but songs such as "Last Call," "As the Light Fades" and "Songs and Stars" will definitely grow on you.

If most Saw Doctors songs provide a great party soundtrack, this latest album is the perfect after-party soundtrack: terrific songs to wind down and chill out with.

But you don't have to worry about at the TLA tonight. A Saw Doctors live performance is always a party. I've seen the band three times and always walked away with a smile (and not much of a voice).

Moran and lead vocalist Davy Carton formed the band 25 years ago, and it's great to see they're still going strong.

Show time tonight is 8 p.m. AM Taxi, a very cool band, is the opening act.