“The boy’s got a very sharp mind,” Church Point recordman Bee Cormier once remarked who recorded the young prodigy for his Bee Records imprint. That was four years ago and since then the talented eight-year-old accordionist has enjoyed whirlwind success with TV, movie and even phone book cover appearances.

Hayes’ second release is more apt to draw comparisons to a preteen Richard LeBouef as the overall sensibility aims for that lofty pop record. He’s backed by a hot band that includes most of country band River Road and there is no shortage of rockin’ solos from keyboardist Darryl Fontenot and guitarist Fabian Champagne. As blistering as it gets with one explosive ride after another, the sound quality is disappointedly muddy in the low and the high end. Hayes’ voice will take a little getting used to as it’s not exactly the smoothest around, even for a child. Moreover, his vocal inflections strive for professional showmanship when it’s obvious he’s not ready for such a mature technique.

What may be more objectionable is several Cajun songs have verses sung in English, which renders a cheapening cultural effect. If it’s still not apparent this is aimed at larger Americana markets, the amusing country-flavored original “Six Years Old” will probably garner airplay on a Nashville children’s radio station. The closer, the funky English sung “Malfunction” is a bit unbelievable as Hayes pines about his cheating girlfriend going out with another boy. Still it gets my vote for best song of the platter only because it’s fodder for a geriatric exercise video. Any way you stack it up, the cute is gone and it’s time to get serious.