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This is the David Bridie you know but with a bigger sound of edgy guitar, whirling keyboards and anthemic vocals alongside his trademark textures, Pacific percussion beats and lyrics of wry social observation.” David Sly
“No wonder Bridie is feeling better this year. He’s made what might be the best record of his career, 24 years after making his debut with Not Drowning Waving.” Noel Mengel
At first inspection, Succumb is a startling departure from David’s previous solo recordings.
It’s more lean and direct, almost abrasive for its confronting guitars and urgent rhythms. But listen closely and familiar signatures abound; lush, textural beds of intricately layered and densely overdubbed sound tapestries.
Not surprisingly, given David’s deep social justice concerns, many poignant songs were written in the wake of the 2007 federal election, and some earlier lyrics were adjusted after the election result. “After 12 years under the social conservatives, I see this as a time of possibility, an opportunity to move forward rather than be overwhelmed by despair,” says David. “A lot of the questions remain the same, but the beam of light shone upon them is brighter.”
While deliberately political, David resists being overtly dogmatic. Rather than chanting slogans or being polemic, he voices concerns that we should all be sharing, though it’s not only political intent that piques the album. Narratives embrace themes that are inherently Australian, in both character and geography, understanding our place in the Pacific, reaching across cultures, seeking ways to stretch across the divide. And always there’s a faint reminiscing of an older Australia, of more simplistic times that shaped the country we grew up in. He says we need to look at where we’ve been to figure out where we’re going, that the old stories and images are important stuff. “It’s too easy to get wrapped up in the here and now,” he warns. “There are so many other good stories to tell.”
The upbeat, positive sound of Succumb is a consequence of the people David worked with and the energy they brought; friends he trusts and respects, none more than guitarist Phil Wales, who has been among David’s closest musical allies over many years. Many other mates dropped in and contributed: Bart Willoughby, Alan and Stephen Pigram, MFTTC cellist Helen Mountfort, Rob Craw. “I loved going to work each day. It was like this long, continuous dinner party.”
And there is This Year Is Better Than Last Year – co-written with the Oils’ Jim Moginie – which Bridie says reflects his personal frame of mind as well as his response to the change of federal government.
Ultimately, Succumb is the album of a working band, with dynamic contributions from PNG drummer Airi Ingram, Adelaide bass player Paul Cartwright and producer Chris Scallan adding keyboards. David is now looking forward to taking this vibrant song set on the road. “This sound straddles anything else that’s currently happening in music. And to me, that’s important.”
David Bridie will be touring Australia from October 4 including performances at the Australasian World Music Expo in November, which will showcase the region’s finest indigenous, folk, roots and world music artists.
Succumb is out on August 9.
