Urbandub: The Apparition

It's impressive that Urbandub, the Cebuano band that everybody was looking forward to, is no longer the rockers' by-word for the cool and the obscure.

The band is onto their fifth record. Already. And no, they show no stopping now. In The Apparation, Urbandub shows they’re no longer the newcomers from Cebu who's simply playing around.


Well, yes, there is a bit of horsing around. The band fearlessly experiments in this record with digital experiments in between tracks, but somehow, Dub is able to maintain that tight bagsakan that people have come to expect from them.

While this experimentation has left luke-warm responses and mixed reviews from critics, we reckon it's actually a good thing. We mean, how long can you keep on doing the same thing, right?

They finally leave the touch of romance that defined their previous offering Under the Southern Lights behind and attempt to go socio-political-slash-philosophical.

In The Apparition, 'Dub opts to deal with "more serious subjects" like politics, religion and the current social scenario. It may be less personal that the previous albums, but it surely gives you more of Urbandub’s serious face.

Gabby Alipe’s digital skit “ Meneurs De Loup” [Wolf Leader] opens the album, giving it an eerie yet intriguing feel. It's the perfect teaser for the next cut, “The Apparition.”

The title track is a subtle song composed of brilliant mixing of digital effects and a very effective bass line. It is followed by the heavier and “darker” “Face in the Woods” and then by “Gravity” a song that tackles sex.

“What This Night Brings” can give you a bit of blood rush with its aggressive tone. Watch for it, especially in the chorus parts. Then it’ll mellow down with the “A Call to Arms” which feels like an inspirational song rather than an anthem.

“Tongues Like Knives” is a direct assault to religion and to our “beloved” politicians. And with the drum ‘n bass highlighting the early parts, it’s really a catchy one.

The heavy trebled “Stars and the Sun,” followed by “We keep it hidden” and “Good Morning Bones” wrap up the album nicely, with enough reverb and recall to haunt your ears.