Given that they took their name from a 1971 Patti Smith/Sam Shepard play and that their music is a rich mix of rock, punk, zydeco, country and folk, Cowboy Mouth are a difficult band to pigeonhole. But a lot -- maybe everything -- can be explained simply by the fact that the band hails from New Orleans. Think of their sound as a musical gumbo: you may not be able to identify everything in it, but it packs a wallop.

"A lot of cities' music scenes, whether they realize it or not, tend to reflect the spirit of the city," says singer/songwriter/drummer Fred LeBlanc. "The thing about New Orleans is that the music scene just doesn't encompass rock. In fact, the rock scene is something that's relatively new to New Orleans, because for years it had always been R&B or gospel or jazz -- New Orleans is where jazz was pretty much born. So rock music as such really didn't get much respect until very recently. In New Orleans you get a lot of bands who are more willing to experiment with the past in order to get to the future."

Cowboy Mouth's latest helping of N'awlins "rock" is Mercyland, their second album for major label MCA and their fifth effort to date. Produced by Mike Barbiero (Blues Traveler, Guns 'N Roses, Counting Crows), LeBlanc readily describes Mercyland as the best album of the band's seven-year career.

"Mike got us to really focus on playing with each other, which was something we've been doing for a long time live, but not something we ever had concentrated on when making records," LeBlanc says. "By having us focus on each other and really listen to each other play, he gave this record a magical part of ourselves that we've always had onstage."

Much of Cowboy Mouth's magic can probably be credited to the band members' individual musical resumes, most notably LeBlanc's stint in rockabilly/country/punk band Dash Rip Rock and keyboardist/guitarist/vocalist John Griffith's time as lead singer for Eighties punk rock outfit the Red Rockers. These experiences give Cowboy Mouth the gumption -- and chops -- to take musical chances.

"A lot of bands find themselves in the position that we nearly got ourselves into where their albums are being dictated by marketing decisions," LeBlanc says. "You get into a real corporate environment when you release records on a major label. But we still insist on taking different sorts of chances with our music. All I know is, when I listen to an album, I want to be taken on a musical and emotional journey -- I don't want to listen to the same song over and over."

This emphasis on musical diversity, coupled with a kick-ass live show, has won over lots of different kinds of fans -- but perhaps none more famous than New Orleans novelist Anne Rice. "She came to see our show last Halloween and she loved it. And she's flown to see us in New York a few times. She's such a sweet lady -- she's just looking for a way to help us out because she's a big fan. She's given us some lyrics, and they're really good. So I'm looking forward to working on these songs with her. But we have this understanding that we've both got things going on right now, so it's on the back burner for the time being. We have to give our full attention to Mercyland, and she has a new book coming out."

As Cowboy Mouth start on their journey to promote Mercyland(hitting the road supporting the Barenaked Ladies this week), LeBlanc hopes it'll be a huge success -- but he's experienced the flipside of success before.

"There are no guarantees," he says. "No matter how big you are today, you might be low on the totem pole tomorrow. People go up and down, and I've been both the new young guy and the has-been many times. And now here I am, the new kid on the block again. I just play with my heart and my soul with what I think is the best band in the world. Every night I get onstage with my buddies, make some music and move an audience, I know that I'm the luckiest man in the world. Nothing else really matters."

LESLEY HOLDOM