On its debut, Volume One, Dirty Bourbon River Show was more of a theme than a band, playing like the soundtrack of a vaudevillian circus, with the disc coming across as a variety show rather than a unified album. On Volume Two, DBRS grows by not only expanding its scope to include various genres, including jazz, Latin, island music, and even New Orleans R&B (displaying deftness and confidence in each), but also showing improved songwriting and performances.

The band using its strength as a live act to create a cohesive album of fine songs is evidenced in the Caribbean-influenced “From Time to Time.” While the infectious melody and drum-line breaks color the song, the track’s true strength comes from the vocal interplay between singers Noah Adams and Charles Skinner. Adams’ gruff, rambling vocals are juxtaposed against Skinner’s more operatic style, but his soulful, passionate performance in “Vendetta” reveals Skinner to be the band’s secret weapon.

Although DBRS’ growth in songwriting and performance makes for a better album, it also shows the flaws in the band’s trademark circus sound. “My Tiny Little Friend and I,” while sporting a smart melody, comes off as too kitschy for its own good, finding DBRS reverting to the Gogol Bordello revival band of Volume One. This one regression aside, Volume Two shows an idea becoming a band and gives the circus deeper roots.