Emotional journey with love and loss

Dystocia Curve

“Complex Disorder of Adult Life, Vol. I-III”

Dystocia Records

The birth of this triple-CD is remarkable for a band whose quirky name actually means “hard labor.” It has 36 tracks with catchy melodies combining piano, guitar, percussion, synths, and harmoniously blended voices.

The songs expectedly share a common theme, mostly personal and cathartic, and deal with the complications of adulthood, especially love and loss.

The lyrics can be funny and bitter, sweet and sarcastic at the same time.

Some of Volume I’s highlights include the danceable opening track “Ram”; “Dito,” Bong Banal’s ode to his wife and music collaborator Mads; the brutish, rock ’n’ roll love tune “Kotse”; the dreamy “Flyover”; and the upbeat “Suicide Letter.”

Volume II has “Amnesia” with its guitar and synths counterpoint; the affirmative “Blanko”; and “Hilom,” about accepting rejection.

Notable on Volume III are “Sana Kayo,” a wedding song; the mischievous “Haliparot”; the juvenile “Dany Ang School”; and the album’s most wordy song, “Mommy.”

In the liner notes, Bong says recording the albums was both a journey and a miracle, and likewise a metaphor for his own breakthroughs. These songs are meant to be enjoyed, preferably on the road, he says. Enjoy the ride!

Adele

“Live at the Royal Albert Hall”

Warner Music

This DVD (with an accompanying CD) was recorded as part of the Adele Live Tour, and is the closest you can get to seeing the powerful and compelling British singer (vocal chord issues notwithstanding).

The 90-minute concert footage includes songs from Adele’s multi-awarded, multi-platinum albums “19” and “21,” as well as covers of The Cure, Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, and The Steeldrivers.

Simple and straightforward, funny and profane, Adele will disarm you in this intimate DVD. Discover how astonishing it is to swim in a pool of miserable yet aggressively sad songs, and then emerge victorious, instead of an emotional wreck.

Tribute

Opening track is “Hometown Glory” – a tribute to Adele’s hometown, West Norwood, and written when she was 16. “I’ll Be Waiting” is an upbeat R&B number.

Very engaging is “Turning Tables,” a sad song with wonderful orchestration by the Wired Strings. There’s also the defiant “Set Fire To The Rain”; the banjo-textured, bouncy cover of The Steeldrivers’ “If It Hadn’t Been For Love.”

Breakup song

“My Same” is dedicated to the best of buddies, and especially to her best friend Laura. “Take It All” is a gospel-like breakup song, while “Rumor” is a playful, sarcastic tune.

“Right As Rain” is a catchy, Latin-inspired number; followed by the optimistic “One And Only.”

The Cure’s “Love Song” is covered at a slower pace but is more affecting.

After “Chasing Pavements,” her first single, comes more covers: Bonnie Raitts’ “I Can’t Make You Love Me” and Bob Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love”—where the lines “She can see us now” refer to the thousands of cell phone lights flickering in honor of Amy Winehouse.

On “Someone Like You,” after the crowd joins in to sing along, Adele breaks down in tears, relating how the song changed her life.

The concert ends with a resounding “Rolling in the Deep,” winner of both the Grammy and the MTV song of the year.

As a new artist who has gained millions of fans worldwide, Adele has been praised by critics and fellow contemporary artists alike. This live set is a must-have for heartbreak survivors.