Possibly in the running for the best band name ever, the Squirrel Nut Zippers are finally back on the scene after their 18-year-long hiatus. The North Carolina-born jazz band (est. circa 1993) has developed a distinct style style fusing elements of Delta Blues, 1930s swing, klezmer and New Orleans jazz. This week, they are releasing their long-awaited comeback album Beasts of Burgundy, a collection of twelve new original tracks produced with an all-star cast of NOLA musicians.

The Squirrel Nut Zippers found commercial success in the ’90s following the wave of the swing revival movement. Between 1995-2000, they sold over three-million albums. The Zippers found what works for them: breaking free of the narrow confines of genres and inhabiting a unique, transcendent space that few other bands in their circle achieved. For the past two years, the group has worked hard on crafting their revival record. Beasts of Burgundy brings the old sounds together with new ideas– and it works.

Inspired by jazz epicenter New Orleans, the swing revivalists wove local geography into the fabric of the record by taking the album title from Burgundy Street. “The Zippers have always been full of outlandish characters which provide great self referential material for songs”, says band leader Jimbo Mathus. “The new revival of the band is no exception and, since we rehearsed the new show on Burgundy St in New Orleans, I thought of this title and story about the ‘Beasts’ who accidentally miss Mardi Gras.”

The sounds of the Crescent City are evident throughout the stories this record tells. The track “Karnival Joe” references an old Cuban circus held in town, while numbers like “Rusty Trombone” and “Axman Jazz” draw upon early twentieth century jazz tradition. Mathus said, “I wanted the record to be real New Orleans-centric, especially the old New Orleans.”

Beasts of Burgundy is available for streaming below.

Squirrel Nut Zippers take the Tipitina’s stage on April 29. Tickets are available here.