Louisiana Red Hot

Honey Island Swamp Band continue their brand of New Orleans music dubbed “Bayou Americana” on Cane Sugar by embracing the city’s melting-pot traditions and melding together roots-rock, soul, honky-tonk and rhythm and blues. Once again, Aaron Wilkinson and Chris Mule both write songs and trade lead vocals, but this time around, they enlisted the help of Grammy-winner John Porter to produce the 12 tracks. After opening with a couple of bland songs, Cane Sugar finds its groove by the third track with a funk-infused country rock tune, “Cast the First Stone.” The band shines on the grittier songs such as “Just Another Fool.” Highlight “One Shot” is a slower jam that builds with intensity and showcases the best features of the album, including Sam Price and Garland Paul’s driving rhythm section, Trevor Brooks’ piercing organ and Wilkinson’s fluttering mandolin.