Respect needs to be earned. And these Australians have definitely paid their dues. After eight albums and three decades together (give or take several years off back in the ’00s), they’ve still got it. If by ‘it’ you mean a knack for crafting eccentric, entertaining and endearing indie-pop and new-wave gems like the ones that decorate their eighth release Respect All Lifeforms. Speaking of other entities: They also retain the ability to appreciate the work of similarly minded peers like Camper Van Beethoven’s Take The Skinheads Bowling, which they cover here with all due effervescence and loosey-goosey joy. Not to mention respect. How sweet it is.
THE PRESS RELEASE: “Iconic Australian band Custard makes a welcome return with their eighth studio album Respect All Lifeforms. Custard circa 2020 features the classic line-up of David McCormack, Glenn Thompson, Paul Medew and Matthew Strong. Originally formed in Brisbane in 1990, Custard released a series of classic guitar-pop albums over the next decade, including Wisenheimer, We Have the Technology and Loverama. The band developed a cult following, touring extensively across Australia and abroad, as well as producing a parade of unforgettable singles, including Apartment and Girls Like That (Don’t Go For Guys Like Us). After disbanding at the end of the 1990’s, the band returned in 2015 with new album Come Back All Is Forgiven, which was followed by 2017’s The Common Touch.”
