Strange Noises in the Dark

The Austin Lounge Lizards have their shtick, and what they do, they do very well. Literate, funny country songs that tread a line between country and bluegrass, well played, and tightly written. There's plenty of social commentary, such as "You Can Eat Dog Food," about the plight of the elderly, and "Jesse + Phil," where Jesse Helms and Phil Gramm come out as a gay couple. But there are also some just-plain-funny songs, like the couple-drinking-and-fighting parody of "We Always Fight When We Drink Gin," where guest singer Kelly Willis does a near-perfect Loretta Lynn. Some are plain daft, such as "The Lonely Yodeler," while the a cappella "Why Couldn't We Blow Up Saddam?" is a unalloyed joy. "When I'm Cleanin' Windows," an old George Formby music hall song, gets revived as down-home bluegrass — but with an English accent. Whatever way you look at it (even if you include the ridiculous "Banana Slugs!"), the Austin Lounge Lizards bring a smile.