This single is taken from DUNGEN'S third album "Ta Det Lugnt" (Take It Easy) which has been around since 2004 but which seems to be getting wider distribution this Spring. It's coupled with "Sjutton".
DUNGEN are the folk/psychedelic/rock band constructed around the multi-instrumental talents of Gustav Ejstes, a young Swede with a musical and well furnished family.
There have been some very respectful reviews of "Ta Det Lugnt" and this single supports the general thesis. DUNGEN are what APPLES IN STEREO and KULA SHAKER might have been with just a little less self absorption and a lot more wild enthusiasm for the freaked out spirit of folk music tumbling unselfconsciously into Indian mysticism with some very nice valve amps and quality musical instruments to play with. DUNGEN are doing All Tomorrow's Parties this year, so that bodes well.
As a junior apostle from the lost era myself I can hear a little hint of the movie version of psychedelic bands that used to be created for minor film comedies of the time. But I think that is a personal affliction that contemporary audiences would be totally free of. In fact, if it was pointed out it would probably give DUNGEN extra points.
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So – "Festival" floats and sings somewhere between The Beatles' "Rain" and "Strawberry Fields Forever" and it sounds very fresh and very modern. It has that lovely jumble of things that 60s festivals celebrated: the acoustic guitar, Keith Moon drumming and Incredible String Band loopiness. It’s a welcome infusion of magic mushrooms for the current brew of Northern clatterpop. "Sjutton" does without the Swedish vocal track, but adds a bit of RICHIE HAVENS funkiness and some very 60s jazz flute (played by the ubiquitous Ejstes). Time for the UK to go nuts for DUNGEN I guess.
www.dungen-music.com
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