Austin Sound

Ah, the Austin Lounge Lizards, speaking truth to misguided power for almost three decades. Their latest timely offering, “Too Big To Fail”, takes on the bailouts, and while it’s a little more direct than their best satirical songs, it’s still the kind of irreverent string folk that we’ve come love and depend on from the local group. The song, written by Lindsey Eck, will purportedly be on an upcoming album that the quartet is working on, while the video was directed by Steven Mims, who was responsible for their 20th Anniversary DVD, aptly titled Lizards Times Twenty, back in 2000. Peep the video below:

The Austin Lounge Lizards have been treating fans to their offbeat folk satires for more than a quarter century now, but their latest album, The Drugs I Need, is their most politically oriented yet. And they didn’t need to look very far for material. The songs take on Big Oil, Corporate Radio and the health care system, all while riffing on some of the nations most sacred musical, and cultural, traditions.

Although the Lizards certainly rely on a fair amount of novelty and shtick for their act, their songs generally manage to outlast a wear that most satirical groups can’t, not the least due to their musicianship. And despite most of the album’s slant to an older crowd (the title alone should tip you off that it’s written with the aging crop of baby boomers in mind), the songs are often hilarious and relevant enough to maintain their appeal.