Mamou, spearheaded by vocalist Steve LaFleur and fiddler Jonno Frishberg, are prime proponents of rock-tinged Cajun music. This CD includes a good version of "It's Raining," the heartfelt "Ugly Day Stomp" and several other tunes that have French lyrics, Cajun instrumentation and a pop underpinning and sensibility. It's not so much crossover or fusion as it is updated Cajun.
Mamou, whose origins were as a hard rock group, performs with the same spirit, used in a Cajun setting. At times, they don't fully click, but when they're in the groove, their 1990s Cajun sound has both energy and appeal. ~ Ron Wynn