Whenever I listen to Dungen, I get caught up in a heady swirl of the senses. To listen to this Swedish band is to encounter and conjure dozens of reference points at once, and I find myself calling forth descriptors.
The ’60s prog-psychedelia awash here is an experience not unlike wine tasting, and all the pretentious verbosity that goes into indentifying aromas and flavors.
[audio:https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/2-05-Badsang.mp3|titles=Dungen: Badsang] [audio:https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/1-11-Om-Du-Vore-En-Vakthund.mp3|titles=Dungen: Om Du Vore En Vakthund]For instance, with their Ta Det Lugnt: Opulent Kieth Moon drums combine with rich, almost Japanese-flavored vocals, presenting forward Band On The Run-era Wings, and finishing with hints of Coltrane and Brubeck.
[audio:https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/1-06-Det-Du-T%C3%A4nker-Idag-%C3%84r-Du-I-Morgon.mp3|titles=Dungen: Det Du Tänker Idag Är Du I Morgon] [audio:https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/07-Så-Blev-Det-Bestämt.mp3|titles=Dungen: Så Blev Det Bestämt]Another one of their pieces opens with a bouquet of patchouli-scented guitar, Bill Evans piano, Mike Oldfield and hints of Metallica and notes of David Gilmour.
[audio:https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/06-Fredag.mp3|titles=Dungen: Fredag] [audio:https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/02-Familj.mp3|titles=Dungen: Familj]Have a try yourself! What do you hear?
(This game can also be played with The Men, Comets on Fire, and Tame Impala.)
I’ve been begging Hrrundivbakshi to serve as the Hall’s Rock Sommelier for a couple of years. You, my friend, are the man for the job. I am incapable of speaking this language, but I’m fascinated by it when we go to nice restaurants. I have to hold in laughing while the guy does his schtick. I stopped drinking shortly after I could afford wine with corks. Now you don’t need a cork or even a glass bottle to have a mature drinker’s wine!
Let me give it one shot with what I’m hearing on most of these tracks: More-era Pink Floydian casked Riders on the Storm-crushed grapes with a hint a Bitches Brew.
Interesting, except for the track that included the flute. All bands should know to STEP AWAY FROM THE JAZZ (or rock) FLUTE! I mean, did it work for Jethro Tull?
Agreed (except in the case of War’s “Spill The Wine” which totally fits in this theme)! Jazz flute was given the ultimate send-up with Will Farrell.
…and don’t any of you get any harebrained ideas about defending Jethro Tull.
Oh, we’ve danced around the Tull issue in the past. Here’s one example:
https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/index.php/bands-you-don-t-really-like-that-neverth/