NELSON BRAGG
Day Into Night (Side B Music; CD)
     Nelson Bragg's CV reads like an LA pop fan's wet dream. His drumming and/or vocals have graced albums by Cloud Eleven, The Tyde, The Quarter After, Stew, Carolyn Edwards, Andrew Sandoval and something called Smile by some guy called Brian Wilson. He currently occupies the drum stools of both The Mockers and The Now People and is a permanent member of said Wilson guy's touring band. It's not surprising that expectations are running high for his debut solo outing, Day Into Night.
     Split into good old fashioned album sides - A (Day) and B (Night) – it's entirely composed by Mr Bragg bar the rather charming cover of George Harrison's 'Dark Sweet Lady' and features chums like The Wondermints' Nick Walusko, Cloud Eleven's Rick Gallego and Baby Lemonade's Mike Randle adding all manner of instrumentation to Bragg's guitar, drums and voice.
     The basic order of the day is smoothly executed radio-friendly adult pop with layered ringing guitars and Nelson's multi-tracked harmonies to the fore. Surprisingly there are virtually no concessions to either the muscular power-pop of The Mockers, the breezy '60s jangle of The Now People or the ultra-musical pocket symphonies of the Wilson dude, leaving us listening to an album that's very easy on the ear but lacks the spark that makes you want to take it home and cherish it.
     Enjoyable opener 'Forever Days' sets the scene - The Eagles via Tom Petty via REM with the obligatory sheen of West Coast cool – and although 'Every Minute Of The Day' throws some musical curves into the mix and 'A Father's Foolish Will' reminds me of 'Sunday Will Never Be The Same' - which can only be a good thing – the tunes rarely stray far from this template.
     My main criticism here is that the performances are too measured and smack of having the life produced out of them. A spot of rocking out and the occasional rough edge left intact here and there would surely have added some excitement and helped engage the listener further.
     That said, it's a mighty achievement to make an album of this high standard and professionalism and besides, any singer/songwriter/drummer is a friend of mine.
www.sidebmusic.com
Andy Morten

DUNGEN
Tio Bitar (Subliminal Sounds; CD/LP)
     Nowadays many bands are on a downward slide by the third album, thankfully Dungen are an exception to the norm. On the grandiose Tio Bitar (Ten Pieces) Gustav Ejstes once again plays most instruments, with added cerebral damaging leads from Reine Fiske, and their vision is immense; the cinematic soundscape closer 'En Gang I Ar Kom Det En Tar' bites at the heels of Ennio Morricone highlighting Ejstes impeccable compositional moods. The kid has talent. Yes, the combination of mellotron, organ, violin and flutes may have often been utilised in '72 to great effect, but Dungen somehow reinvents progressive music in a new context for a new audience. Unlike a lot of their progressive forefathers Dungen care about a tune, and when needed vocal melody is tantamount. The power pop rocker 'Du Ska Inte Tro Att Det Ordnar Sig' blends huge riffing guitars with a soaring pop chorus whilst the tranquil sitting-in-a-meadow-vibe of 'Mon Amour' is carried by the sweetest singing heard this year.
     Musically, its the most ambitious yet benefiting from a broad pallet; even a Canterbury influence creeps up on the Kevin Ayers-riff-like 'Ett Skal Att Trivas' and the instrumental interlude of 'Mon Amour' recalls Caravan's 'Golf Girl' before traipsing off into a Moroccan freakout. It rocks hard, sounds majestically beautiful and is very, very clever! But hey, three quarters of the listeners will miss my train spotting, which is great. If a new audience have the patience and intelligence to dig deep and appreciate the music...so be it. Tio Bitar is yet another triumph, and it's an album that should give Mars Volta fans something to think about and King Crimson acolytes a reason to smile wryly!
www.subliminalsounds.se
Jon 'Mojo' Mills