One of Filipino indie rock’s best kept secrets and Indie rock band Dystocia Curve opens 2023 with their fourth album with a numeronym for a title in Taclob 1. Or “Tacloban.”
Dystocia Curve, which has made a name for some of the most angsty and emo songs (without being emo if you get my drift), ventured back to some 16 years ago for the ideas that became the new album. When I first wrote about the band’s music, I thought of the anger of Yano minus the wit. So deduct what you can from that – solid songwriting but angry at that.
When the duo of songwriters and vocalists Bong and Mads Banal traveled to the latter’s hometown of Tacloban soon after tying the knot, they found themselves in a hope chest of creativity and energy. Yet, the songs did not see the light of day until now.
The culprit is – life – and as the saying goes, it got in the way. Because the couple found themselves on the family way curtailing their rock band dreams.
With that came a change in approach and views on life.
Their debut, Complex Disorders of Adult Life, featured 36 songs of love, life, and loss while the follow up, Metro Love, saw the band singing about the challenges of city life.
Their third album, Gardenero, was a return to angry form. Penned during the elections of the previous administration, Bong described it as music for those who harbor hate.
Taclob 1 is a much toned down album. They imbue their social commentary with a sense of humor amidst Beach boys melody. That makes for an interesting listen because Gardenero was heavy and you feel the weight of it.
The first track “PB Yehey” is a humorous take on a basketball player’s career gone awry.
The next track “Ang Buhay Mo’y Lubos Na Importante” is about Bong’s obsession with the compact discs of his favorite artists.
“Bakit Ang Sabi Mo?” brings the band back to earth with the sudden pregnancy of Mads years back that set back whatever rock star inhibitions Bong had. But at the end, building a family was more important.
“Hindi Mo Alam Kung P’Ano” is a love song where Bong is grateful for Mads being in his life.
Gads. Has Dystocia Curve turned a new leaf? Have they gone all Barry Manilow? Has that Street Fighting Man (to crib a song title from the Rolling stones that aptly describes that street parliamentarian, Bong, mellowed with age?
After all, when he handed over the compact disc, he was grinning from ear to ear. Yes, it’s the Holiday season, but it is good to be alive, political concerns, Ukraine and all.
I think, Dystocia Curve – the Banals, Gerald Agapay and Archie Verano on guitars; and Bok Fajardo on bass and drums – have revisited the tunefulness of Metro Love but pushed it into a different gear.
I played it again several times and did not feel the heaviness that hung over their previous albums. As we said, the synthesizers approximated the Beach Boys. Whether intentional or not, I think it is good. And anyone who is influenced by Brian Wilson and company has to be okay in my book.
If Taclob1 is your introduction to Dystocia Curve (look up the band or the Banals on Facebook), then it’s a good thing. Start off the new year with Taclob1. Listen well because there’s a lesson to be learned and a smile to be put on no matter how life can get.