Dungen - Ta Det Lugnt
(Subliminal)
The fourth album from this Swedish multi-instrumentalist/one-man band known as Gustav Ejstes is one of the best psychedelic blasts of fresh air I’ve heard all year. It’s more pure pop for now people, with a decidedly rough and exciting exterior couching incredibly catchy hooks within. Opener “Panda” finds Beatlesque pop battling aggressive prog a la Styx or Kansas, and some heavily-treated guitars and vocal effects highlight “Gjort Bort Sig,” more proggy psych in the vein of Lucky Bishops, but also fondly reminiscent of Mike Patto and Timebox. The dreamy, acoustic “Festival” hits all the right high notes in creating a patchouli-filled atmosphere for unwashed and slightly dazed partygoers to trip the light fantastic.
The folky “Du E För Fin För Mig” has a melancholic violin intro (from, presumably, Gustav’s brother, Lars-Olof) that later returns to provide a “Long and Winding Road”/”Eleanor Rigby” vibe throughout, leading up to Reine Fiske’s brainfrying guitar solo that may literally have the laser beam jumping right off your disk! Hey, Jimi is alive and well and living in Sweden! However, before you book your flights, it should be noted that the title track does deteriorate into a little too much guitar wankery for my taste and is perilously close to raising the ominous spectre of Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush. Although the complete turnabout into a bitching jazz jam based around Aron Hejdstrom’s wonderfully fluid sax work nearly saves the track form the discard pile.
The gorgeously psychedelic instrumentals “Det Du Tänker Idag Är Du I Morgon” and “Lejonet & Kulan” remind me of the mellower vibes on the new Mushroom disk reviewed last issue, and is perfectly suited to sitting cross-legged in a field enjoying nature’s finest. Gustav’s flute is a particularly nice touch on the former and adds an Incredible String Band glow to the proceedings. I also heard a bit of “Strawberry Fields” in the short instrumental, “Glömd Konst Kommer Stundom ånyo till Heders,” and “Om Du Vore En Vakthund” compares favorably with Jimi’s “Third Stone from the Sun.” The anthemic closer, “Sluta Följa Efter” combines all the preceding elements and genres into a perfectly fitting finale to one of the year’s best releases.
So there’s a little something for everyone to like, no matter what your taste in music, whether it be acid-fried psychedelia, smooth-groovin’ jazz, heartpounding prog or just plain old mellow acoustic folk. While this kitchen sink variety may be too overwhelming for some, it kept this listener on his toes always anxious to hear what was coming next. A great introduction to Dungen’s work and a fitting incentive to seek out his earlier releases.
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