A cover shot of a Cajun quartet playing underneath a tree screams symbolism if you remember Dewey Balfa’s quote about the tree growing one branch at a time. But even more so, that pecan tree situated on Fontenot’s grandparents’ homestead was where the young lad developed an appreciation for Cajun music, a knack for the mother tongue and a deeper cultural identity. That deeply-rooted symbolism also emanates from the band’s nine originals (a commendable feat for a debuting Cajun ensemble) that touch upon a variety of heartfelt themes like the dearly departed, marriage, good friends and historical themes of Cajuns arriving on Louisiana soil. The opening instrumental, Aldus Roger’s “Step It Fast,” supplies a double espresso jolt while the rousing original “Pine Point Special,” a reference to Fontenot’s home turf, squares up well to any famed two-step classic you care to name. Though Fontenot and guitarist Waven Boone’s vocal sincerity are consistently felt, “Eh Mom Mom” needs a little vocal tuning additive. After that, the Express gets back on track and it doesn’t hurt to have special guest conductors Hadley Castille, Layton Thibodeaux, Karl Deshotel and Kurt Daigle keeping the wheels on course either.