Damon Troy, Resurfaced (MTE)


Though grossly overdue, Damon Troy’s latest picks up where 2002’s What Next left off, a genre-hopping affair showcasing his ability to handle a multitude of styles beyond his signature zydecajun. Each track is radically different than its predecessor as Troy saunters between calypso, stomping dancehall Cajun, rollicking zydeco and rocked-up Otis Redding/Ray Charles covers. There’s even a surprising rendition of Jimi Hendrix’s “Foxy Lady” where Troy plays the wildest licks on a triple-row accordion using a wah-wah pedal and distortion unit. Virtually none of this is pure zydecajun—if zydecajun can be “pure”—but it showcases his passionate vocals. The album’s landmark tune, “Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda Love You,” is so magical, it deserves to be swamp pop song of the year. Yet, no matter what he attempts next, slow, poignant ballads like “You’ll Understand” will always be his trademark. Granted, five years between releases can be a death sentence for an artist, but if one were to re-establish one’s self, there would be no better way than what Troy does here.