Jul 172012
 

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.)

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Sep 172010
 


Today, while driving to work, I was listening to “Fredag,” a new track by the classic/psychedelic rock outfit Dungen. It features guitars, pounding drums, Leon Russell-style piano chords, and….a xylophone.

The xylophone seems to be such a sweet, happy instrument that is well suited to twee-ish pop, such as The Magnetic Fields. But in a quick scan of our music collection, Mr. Royale and I unearthed these other xylophone-friendly rock tracks:

  • “I Will Follow” by U2
  • “Gone Daddy Gone” by the Violent Femmes
  • “Little Wing” by Jimi Hendrix
  • “Under My Thumb” by the Rolling Stones

And I’m sure there are more that you can think of. So is there a place in rock for the xylophone?

P.S. – “Born To Run” showcases a glockenspiel…

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