Bayou Ruler is an album by the American band Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, released in 1998.

[12][13] Jimmy Domengeaux played guitar on the album, his last with the band; he died in a motorcycle accident in January 1999.

[14] The Los Angeles Times called Bayou Ruler "a scattered-sounding, misdirected album that Riley describes as 'swamp pop'... Its layers of brass, electric guitar, pedal steel guitar, Hammond B3 organ and other pop-friendly devices are murky indeed.

"[16] The Star Tribune opined that "'Tough Get Going' is a particularly anemic rocker, and the swamp pop stuff just needs to be greasier.

"[18] The Albuquerque Journal noted that the album "expands the group's horizons with a mixture of rock 'n' roll, R&B, and zydeco.