Album release celebration at Bodles Opera House on March 30

Chester — In their 28 years together, the Austin Lounge Lizards have written many sarcastic odes to bumbling idiots and assorted losers - the kind of characters vocalist/bassist Boo Resnick describes as “happily clueless.” They’ve also concentrated on topics that don’t have a limited shelf life, as current-event humor sometimes does. But on album No. 10, “The Drugs I Need,” the Lizards give some laughing tongue-lashes to more pointed subjects: they take aim at the president, drug conglomerates, the health insurance crisis, oil companies and even religion. “It’s the most topical album that we’ve ever done,” says Resnick of the Lloyd Maines-produced disc, released on Houston label Blue Corn Records. “We also think it’s the best work we’ve ever done. “It’s an uplifting rallying cry for poor, downhearted liberals who live in a little blue island in a big red state.” The Lizards’ intricately layered harmonies and instrumental arrangements cover as much territory as their subject matter. For better or worse, the band - Conrad Deisler on guitar, Korey Simeone on fiddle and mandolin, Tom Pittman on banjo and dobro and Hank Card on rhythm guitar - is confident these slices of wit won’t age prematurely. Says Resnick knowingly: “The topics that we’ve picked for these songs are all gonna be with us for a long time.” Bodles Opera House will hold an album release celebration at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, March 30. Call 845-469-4595 for further information. Those interested in a copy of “The Drugs I Need” may also e-mail a request to prop2@austin.rr.com with current mailing address and contact information.