vinylfanatics.com

**Dungen - Ta Det Lugnt**
★★★★☆

In the pantheon of modern psychedelic rock, few albums have managed to capture the essence of late-60s Swedish prog while simultaneously pushing the genre into uncharted territory quite like Dungen's "Ta Det Lugnt." Released in 2004, this third studio effort from Gustav Ejstes and his rotating cast of musical collaborators stands as the band's undisputed masterpiece – a swirling, kaleidoscopic journey that feels both timelessly vintage and refreshingly contemporary.

Before "Ta Det Lugnt" transformed Dungen from a well-kept Nordic secret into an international psych-rock sensation, Gustav Ejstes had been quietly crafting his unique brand of Swedish psychedelia since the late 1990s. The band's earlier releases, "Stadsvandringar" (2002) and the self-titled "Dungen" (2001), showcased Ejstes' multi-instrumental prowess and his deep reverence for the golden age of Scandinavian progressive rock. However, it was the addition of drummer Johan Holmegard and bassist Mattias "Tiaz" Gustavsson that provided the rhythmic foundation necessary to fully realize Ejstes' ambitious sonic visions.

What makes "Ta Det Lugnt" so compelling is its seamless fusion of influences. Drawing heavily from Swedish prog legends like Kebnekaise and International Harvester, the album manages to channel the pastoral mysticism of early Fairport Convention, the instrumental virtuosity of King Crimson, and the melodic sensibilities of The Beatles into something uniquely their own. Ejstes' decision to sing entirely in Swedish adds an additional layer of otherworldly charm, turning his vocals into another instrument in the band's rich tapestry rather than a conventional focal point.

The album opens with "Panda," a deceptively gentle acoustic meditation that gradually builds into a full-band exploration featuring Ejstes' signature fuzz-laden guitar work. It's a perfect introduction to the band's dynamic range and sets the stage for the epic journey ahead. The title track, "Ta Det Lugnt" (which translates to "Take It Easy"), serves as the album's emotional centerpiece – a seven-minute opus that showcases the band's ability to seamlessly transition between delicate folk passages and explosive psychedelic crescendos.

However, it's "Festival" that truly demonstrates Dungen at their most adventurous. The track's hypnotic groove, anchored by Holmegard's propulsive drumming and punctuated by Ejstes' soaring guitar leads, creates an almost trance-like state that perfectly embodies the album's meditative qualities. Meanwhile, "Bortglömd" reveals the band's softer side, featuring intricate acoustic guitar work and gentle harmonies that wouldn't sound out of place on a lost Incredible String Band recording.

The production, handled by Ejstes himself, deserves special mention. Rather than succumbing to the overly polished sound that plagued many early-2000s rock albums, "Ta Det Lugnt" maintains a warm, analog feel that perfectly complements the vintage instruments and recording techniques employed throughout. The result is an album that sounds like it could have been recorded in 1971, yet possesses a clarity and depth that modern technology affords.

The impact of "Ta Det Lugnt" on the broader psych-rock revival cannot be overstated. At a time when most bands were either slavishly copying their influences or abandoning melody altogether in favor of noise, Dungen proved that there was still room for innovation within traditional song structures. The album's success opened doors for countless other Scandinavian psych acts and helped establish Sweden as a hotbed of contemporary psychedelic music.

Following "Ta Det Lugnt," Dungen continued to evolve and experiment across subsequent releases like "Tio Bitar" (2007) and "4" (2008), but none quite captured the perfect balance of accessibility and experimentalism found on their breakthrough effort. Recent albums such as "Häxan" (2016) and "Häxan" (2016) have seen the band exploring more electronic textures while maintaining their core psychedelic identity.

Nearly two decades after its release, "Ta Det Lugnt" remains a touchstone for anyone seeking to understand the possibilities inherent in modern psychedelic music. It's an album that rewards both casual listening and deep analysis, revealing new layers