Part of their debut album sounds like the backdrop to a movie set in the 1920s, featuring bearded women, mysterious men in top hats juggling knives, and a slowly churning Ferris Wheel. Other times it's the perfect soundtrack to a musical your Louisiana born-and-raised grandparents force you to watch against your will (yet you secretly adore it). Hurray for the Riff Raff makes the rest of today's honky-tonk inspired tunes look like the biggest bunch of codswallop and bosh.

Collecting inspiration from all ends of the spectrum (the slapstick wit of Jerry Lewis, the soulful drawl of Billie Holiday and the Mississippi blues of Bessie Smith), this outfit from New Orleans pulls fans in with familiar banjo melodies and holds on to them with their unique instrumentation and inspired lyrics.

Led by singer/banjo player Alynda Lee, the foursome makes use of a wide range of tools -- from the somewhat traditional accordion, fiddle, and toy piano to the ethereal vibrations of a singing saw and an autoharp -- for a sassy, bluesy sound, wittingly written and beautifully sung.

The opening track Meet Me In The Morning introduces the aforementioned cabaret sound, but things quickly switch back to the wholesome homespun southern style with Daniella -- a heartfelt ballad begging a girl to leave the wrong guy. The rest of the record covers topics from all walks of life and touches on the end of it a noteworthy amount. Skin & Bones , Dance With Death , even the Junebug Waltz are sundry thoughts on the end of the road with creepy, yet somewhat comforting accompaniments.

Overall It Don't Mean I Don't Love You overflows with Louisiana-born, sticky and sweet musical treasures.

Featured Tracks:
Fly Away
Amelia's Song