Directed by Adam Bizanski
Dntel's "The Distance" features guest vocalists Arthur & Yu. The song is taken from Tamborello's new album Dumb Luck (Sub Pop).
Dungen
Tio Bitar
2007 | Kemado
Dungen’s masterpiece, Ta Det Lungt,
was a widescreen breath of colorful psych-rock and stands as one of
finest and most cohesive albums of the 2000s. As Gustav Ejstes yearns
in his native language, which is one that I don’t have any clue about,
he releases a well-crafted flow of dynamic percussion, fiddle, guitar,
keys and that magical flute (precisely woven on this album’s breezy
“Familj”) that is familiar and reassuring to anyone who feels uplifted
by music. He's still the main composer/magician along with guitarist
Reine Fiske, whose soloing is sharper than ever with hooks that fall into the song and add a different hue, instead of attempting to bring a fuzzed-out ego to the mix. Tio Bitar is certainly more mellow and gentle as a whole, but still succeeds at sparking the imagination like it’s predecessor.
Dungen stick to the layered psychedelic, folk-rock covered on Ta Det Lungt,
only the songs don’t immediately grab you so quickly this time. The
best tracks here are the fiery "Gör Det Nu,” "Du Ska Inte Tro Att Det
Ordnar Sig” and "Svart Är Himlen.” The drowsy daytime feel of “Familj”
is the landmark track for me on this record. It’s not a radio single or
some razor-sharp statement of intent. It effortlessly builds and soars
with a lighter pallette of flutes and organs that left me with my jaw
dropped in amazement. How can something so restful and "light" feel so
heavy?
I'm not exactly sure what I expected from Dungen on Tio Bitar, it would seem almost impossible to recreate their last opus. But their music is still powerful even in these softer moments.
-Scott McDonald
LR: How are things going?
Rohner:
Really good. Trying to keep a cool head...ya know...Not falling into
patterns of drugs, late nights and women. All the stuff that comes with
the big time.
LR: Hah! A regular day in the life for Division Day?
Rohner:
But really, we’re good. The album release is coming up and we’re all
excited. We just got the full artwork and copies of the record a few
days ago. Its nice to see it finally happening. Everyone’s just ready
to get rolling.
LR: Yeah it’s been a long time. When was the original release date with that other label?
Rohner: I think earlier…like March.
LR: But you guys self-released it too right? And what exactly happened with that label that fell apart.
Rohner:
Yeah, we originally put out a thousand copies and had signed a deal
with this other label that fell apart a few months later. They sent us
to CMJ on their dime which was really nice. And we got some stuff done
while they were paying for it.
Under that deal the album was
supposed to come out in March and that even got pushed back quite a bit
which was a bummer. But it ended up being a good thing because we’re so
much happier with Eenie Meenie, much more comfortable. It was worth the
wait.
LR: How are things going?
Rohner:
Really good. Trying to keep a cool head...ya know...Not falling into
patterns of drugs, late nights and women. All the stuff that comes with
the big time.
LR: Hah! A regular day in the life for Division Day?
Rohner:
But really, we’re good. The album release is coming up and we’re all
excited. We just got the full artwork and copies of the record a few
days ago. Its nice to see it finally happening. Everyone’s just ready
to get rolling.
LR: Yeah it’s been a long time. When was the original release date with that other label?
Rohner: I think earlier…like March.
LR: But you guys self-released it too right? And what exactly happened with that label that fell apart.
Rohner:
Yeah, we originally put out a thousand copies and had signed a deal
with this other label that fell apart a few months later. They sent us
to CMJ on their dime which was really nice. And we got some stuff done
while they were paying for it.
Under that deal the album was
supposed to come out in March and that even got pushed back quite a bit
which was a bummer. But it ended up being a good thing because we’re so
much happier with Eenie Meenie, much more comfortable. It was worth the
wait.
Man Man is
unlike any other band. From their stage setup, to their music, to their
monikers they bring nothing else to mind – and this is wonderful. I was
lucky enough to talk with the sexy voiced Honus Honus, aka Ryan
Kattner, singer and keyboardist of the band, before their most recent
show in Seattle. I am completely in awe of this man who is an
incredible artist and also a cool dude with a great sense of humor. He
also let me hear an in-progress version of one of their newest songs –
a murder ballad – and it is fantastic.
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