REVIEW
New music from David Bridie
Review by Angela Walker
23 August 2008
Succumb
Music by David Bridie
Liberation Music
11 tracks, $26.99
Succumb is the latest of more than 35 albums featuring David Bridie’s music through the last 25 years, during which he has been involved with the bands Not Drowning Waving and My Friend the Chocolate Cake, a number of movie sound tracks, and other collaborative and solo albums.
Bridie has also been an outspoken supporter of West Papua’s right to self-determination.
“So Many Lies”, the opening track, evolved from a jam with the Pigram Brothers in Broome when Bridie was working on the sound track for the TV series The Circuit. Described by Bridie as an “anti-capitalism ditty”, it’s a great rock start to the album.
The title song, “Succumb”, is a bit too much of a pop music track for me, but it does evoke a certain Paul Weller sound. “Swirl (Wrapped around Your Heart)” also has a 1980s influence, this time a synthesised beat, which works well towards the end of the album.
One of the first songs written for the album, “Raskol Dusty”, which like several others was inspired by Papua New Guinea, brings a new sound to the album. Like several other tracks it samples different material and blends it together.
In “Foreign Correspondent” Bridie pays tribute to a friend who first took him to PNG and raised his awareness about West Papua. Bridie’s support for the West Papuan struggle continues as he currently works with West Papuan musicians on the soundtrack for a new feature documentary in the region.
“First Chapter (Hearts Are Heavy)” reflects on the journey we are all still on to achieve true reconciliation and justice in this country. It leads perfectly into “Anti Chase Music”, which was my favourite track on the album. It has a beat that envelopes you like the warm salty pull of a gentle ocean tide.
All in all this is an enjoyable album. Why not take a leaf out of Bridie’s book: put on “This year is better than last year” and sing out loud next time you have your headphones on or your stereo volume turned up.
