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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
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4
by Dungen
This is the fifth album for the Swedish rock band led by Gustav Ejstes.
| LABEL: |
Kemado |
| RELEASE DATE: |
30 September 2008 |
| DISCS: |
1 disc |
| GENRE(S): |
Rock, Indie |
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
84
Paste Magazine
What’s most surprising about this set is its stylistic range, encompassing the lunar soundscapes of Sigur Rós ('Sätt Att Se'), the groove-based jazz of Weather Report ('Maleras Finest'), mutated bossa nova ('Det Tar Tid') and Eno-esque ambience ('Bandhagen'), all intercut with shredding rave-ups featuring guitarist Reine Fiske ('Fredag'), who ensures that 4 won’t be consigned to background-music status.
82
Filter
4 shows Dungen has a vision unmatched in music today, and an album their larger peers in rock experiements could only dream of producing. [Fall 2008, p.94]
80
Mojo
This fourth album proper is a stunning return to mind-melting form. [Nov 2008, p.118]
80
Uncut
Constantly questing without ever becoming indulgent, 4 is intoxicating. [Nov 2008, p.94]
80
Prefix Magazine
By paying just as much attention to sonic details as ever, Ejstes and his pals have put forth another refined effort, from the piano on back to the drums.
80
Q Magazine
The result is something of a left-field classic. [Nov 2008, p.114]
80
Under The Radar
Dungen truely embody that dusty sleeve in some barely solvent vinyl shop, and this is just as good a find. [Fall 2008, p.75]
80
Drowned In Sound
Never once do Dungen verge on pretension, sure their songs are grandiose and there are more ideas in 4 than most bands muster up in their whole career but then are pulled off so successfully that one can’t doubt that they are there for any other reason other than furthering the band’s sound.
80
PopMatters
It started with the more understated sound of "Tio Bitar," but with the downright catchy songs on 4, the band looks to have reached the height of its powers.
80
All Music Guide
Ejstes' fiddle playing is certainly missed, but that's a minor complaint from an otherwise top-notch effort.
78
Pitchfork
Even though 4 has a greater emphasis on instrumental compositions that don't suffer much from the absence of Ejstes' vocals, it's a bit of a disappointment that they only show up in half the songs.
75
The Phoenix
Ejstes seems more concerned with texture and feel than with hooks. Translation: it all sounds better once you’re stoned.
74
cokemachineglow
4 comes off like a minor work by a band of unfuckwithable talent. Which I guess is another way of saying the law of diminishing returns applies here, but you can only expect the band would ride a plateau before moving forward again.
70
Alternative Press
Awash with sweet bass grooves, tasteful psychedelic guitar action and the occasional Indian tone, the album nonetheless maintains a mostly melancholy quality. [Nov 2008, p.162]
70
Dusted Magazine
On 4, he tinkers a bit with the trim, options and manufacturing methods, but leaves Dungen’s styling fundamentally unchanged.
60
Spin
Much of 4 feels like beautifully baroque soundtrack music desperately seeking a movie about a rainy afternoon.
60
NOW Magazine
It’s a totally mellow set where flute often takes precedence over guitar. Thankfully, Ejstes’s tight arrangements leave little room for wankery, and none of the songs deal with flying dragons.
60
Blender
At its best, the echo-chamber soup of flute trills, infinitely cascading drums and fuzz-ball stoner riffs does seep into your head and expand the contents. But the jams often drift when Ejstes wants them to glide; his singing, all in Swedish, is a touch whiny; and his ear for melody can be painfully flat.
The average user rating for this album is 9.5 (out of 10) based on 2 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
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