(dasKONG/MGM)

Ex-Custard linchpin ends five-year solo hiatus with a bang

A scorpion-adorned cover that looks like it came straight from the ‘70s. Four symbolical sides alluding to a vintage double LP concept. Sixty minutes of music. One endlessly witty, husky-voiced lyricist and a cast of partners in crime. Welcome to Little Murders, David McCormack’s first record proper since 2004’s The Truth About Love and arguably the finest collection of songs he ever put to tape. Yes, Custard’s ‘90s works like Wahooti Fandango and singles Apartment and Girls Like That are rightfully considered indie classics, but this understated CD exhibits the potential to outgrow them all. Having released two albums with backing combo The Polaroids as well as composing film scores for Garage Days and West during this decade, Dave hits a whole number of songwriting peaks with life sketches like Under Your Thumb, the restraining order-brandishing AVO, ode to residing in high air traffic area Living Under The Flight Path With You and Kinks-y single The Good Times (Keep Following Me Around). Sonically, the CD is an audiophile’s wet dream, the spanking vintage tremolo panning across the channels, the Hammond organ purring and the guitars chiming and jangling with warmth rarely heard these ProTools-dominated days. And in case anyone still thought the theme from Twin Peaks was the only track made extra cool by the use of a baritone guitar, Do Anything For Your Love’s juicy low-end break rebuffs whatever prejudice. To paraphrase one of Custard best-known statements, music is rad.

****½

DENIS SEMCHENKO

Be first to comment on this article

Write Comment
Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Poster's IP addresses are logged.
Name:
Comment:
Code:*