Dubok:
"Technicolor Limited Edition"

Track list:

Disc 1:

01. High in Columbia
02. Dense
03. Low Boy
04. Say Goodbye to Your Night
05. Up Yours
06. The Art of Leaving This World
07. Clear Vision
08. There She Is, She Likes To Ride
09. On Blue
10. Acid Cheat

Total Play Time: 57:27

Disc 2:

01. On Blue (The Basement Mix by 4db)
02. Dense (Croc Shop Remix)
03. Low Boy (Cesium 137 Mix)
04. Clear Vision (Headscan Remix)
05. Dense (The Eurotrash Remix by Dorian Gray)
06. Say Goodbye to Your Night (Estranged Remix by Lost Signal)
07. Clear Vision (The Subliminal Mix by Subliminal Gravity)
08. High in Columbia.Acid Cheat (Original Version)

Total Play Time: 48:58

Information:

Label: Tinman Records

Serial: tin020

Title/Format: "Technicolor Limited Edition" 2CD set

Band/Artist: Dubok

Site: Dubok Webpage.

With the release of "Immersed", Dubok's first CD; there was a lot of hype about the music being new and exciting for electro. I listened to a few samples of the music, and despite the rave reviews didn't hear anything exciting. The vocals actually grated me wrong. So ideas of purchasing "Immersed" were quickly dismissed until the "Clear Vision" single was released. I figured I'd buy the single, and see if anything was new. Let's just say the single was AMAZING to keep it simple and short. I've yet to hear electro music sound as clear and be so engaging to the senses. Dubok beautifully brings the sound of the "Clear Vision" single onto there second full length release.

Most noticeable difference that Dubok has from the other electro groups out there is the vocals. The vocals are not harsh, distorted or bland. We as listeners are presented with lyrics which are sometimes sung, and almost always full of emotion. The next impressive feat Dubok pulls off is walking the fine line between synthpop and electro sounding music, and not becoming what I'd consider "synthpop." The music is both mature in sound, and quick to pull your imagination (or body even) into the smooth sweeping synthlines.

There are moments here where the music almost seems danceable ("Up Yours" and "There She Is, She Likes To Ride"), but overall this music is built upon pleasant passages which are relaxing in nature ("High In Columbia"). Usage of various keyboard effects, are what make this disc such a pleasure to listen to. This air of beautiful ambience is a theme through the whole disc, strengthed by the emotional vocals, and well placed breaks in the drum beats. The pace of the music will be slowed down to an intimate level one moment, and then gracefully swept back up into the beat and dramatic (not overly dramatic though) lyrics the next.

For those fortunate enough to buy one of the first 1,000 copies of this release, they'll find an impressive set of remixes on a second disc. The remixers do a good of retaining the beauty of the original tracks, while also showing another angle of the song. 4db's Basement Remix of "On Blue" is a favorite. Using a drum and bass like beat, the vocals seem to take on a whole new look with this remix. Croc Shop for me has a trademark "stomping type beat" they use in their music, which is evident in their remix. It's interesting to hear the combination of this beat with the vocals of Dubok's Ian and hints of the original songs keyboard effects. The remix which surprised me the most was Cesium 137's. After hearing Cesium 137's own debut album, I was expecting their remix to either sound dark in nature and/or take on a heavier EBM type beat. Quite the opposite, the song is slow and relaxing in nature and stays quietly beautiful with the vocals. While no other real surprises were found in the remixes, none of them were horrible takes on Dubok's material.

So in closing, I am sold on Dubok and anxious to hear more from this trio of talented artists. New material may take awhile to come out, for the group took two years to release this second CD; but if the quality ends up being similar then the wait will be worth it. I've even gone back since hearing the "Clear Vision" single, to buy "Immersed" (their debut CD). You don't have to wait now though! Get out there and scoop up one of the "Technicolor" CDs which includes the remixes, all for the price of one CD.

Reviewed by Bry'n
10.30.02