The Iguanas

While many bands claim that their sound is a mixture of musical styles but only experiment superficially, the New Orleans-based Iguanas really do slither in and out of many genres. A set might begin with a muscular, horn-fueled '50s R&B workout, followed by a Tex-Mex bar number sung entirely in Spanish and then a sexy, voodooesque piece with slinky grooves. All of this and more is evident on the band's fifth record, which is perhaps its best.

Details

Saturday, April 26 at 4:45 p.m.;

Energy America Stage at the Houston International Festival

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Singer/guitarist/accordionist Rod Hodges leads the quintet though a richly rewarding string of tracks, from the late-night bayou mistiness of "Yesterday" and the dance-hall stomp "Mexican Candy" to the garagey/psychedelic "I Dig You" and the twin sax attack (a band staple) of "Un Avion." The title track, a wistful number about a life journey empowered by music and the radio, is nostalgic without being corny, and the band embellishes the tale with a shimmering, echo-laden guitar part.

The ballad "Abandonado" and the jam-bandish "Sugar Cane" are a couple of examples of what doesn't work on the record -- too drawn out and/or repetitious -- but these numbers are few.

Though it's not nearly as rock- oriented and frenetic as the work of fellow Big Easy band the Radiators, fans of Los Lobos and War will find plenty to enjoy here.