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David Sutton, originally from Essex in the UK and now based in Wellington has added another album to his impressive range. Upside-Down World is his latest release proving that the man of few words and very little self-promotion is still “writing and recording songs.”
As soon as I had heard the opening track with the same name as the album, I quickly realised that this album has a religious vein running through it.
The majority of this album may have Biblical lyrics; however, they are accompanied by a raw British rock/punk sound which I found rather refreshing. A different approach was taken with album in comparison to David’s last album Binary. He isn’t singing about yanking off his audience heads for one. I rather liked Binary – I called it weird and wonderful, yet with Upside-Down World I am sitting on a wonky fence not sure which way to fall.
As you work your way through this album it becomes clear that it is not just 11 tracks of biblical story telling, but a journey. This on closer inspection appears to be an expedition to overcome personal demons and finding the light.
As with previous works of David Sutton I found this also to be raw and refreshingly honest.
Also, as with previous albums, David has incorporated his family into his music this time with James Sutton proving he is also a talented multi-instrumentalist by adding piano and drums to all tracks, bass and keyboard on The Games We Play and violin and backing vocals on Upside-Down World and Zigsaur Stomp.
There were two tracks that stood out on this album for me as being different from the rest. Track seven, Full Moon had a completely different sound and tone to the vocals. This is a song about becoming a werewolf, and for me this was the point I began to think that perhaps this album is describing a transitional phase.
The other song which I really enjoyed was track nine Zigsaur Stomp, it was catchy, and I found myself thinking it sounded roughly like Stray Cat Strut.
A majority of songs on Upside-Down World are ushered in with faint little sound bites, little dainty introductions to the reflective sometimes heavy lyrics, the gritty vocals and grungy guitar.
At first what I believed to be an album of religious connotations evolved into an interesting musical jaunt. As with some of David’s previous albums I just had to sit still and really listen to them a few times before I got it.
David Sutton has a very individual approach to music, he is a multi-instrumentalist who is not afraid to try different genres and styles. He has been in the industry for some time and still keep things fresh with each new album (seven at the last count).
I am no longer on the fence with Upside-Down World, it grew on me. Not all the tracks but a majority I came to understand. This album is worthy of exploration, you just need to scratch the surface and dig a little deeper.
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About the author Corinne Rutherford
My name is Corinne. I am a music reviewer based in Tauranga. I am currently in a band called The Knids with my partner Michael and good friend Chris. My journey in the NZ music scene started with gig photography, which then evolved into writing and singing. I am passionate about local and New Zealand based music and the musical artists who create it.
More by Corinne Rutherford
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EP Review: Living In The Shadows
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Album Review: Levity Beet And The Aotearoa All Stars
EP Review: Back To Our Roots
Album Review: A Bee Might Bite My Nose
EP Review: Lightbeam
EP Review: Throne Of Mine
