It’s almost a shame that Swedish singer Nicolai Dunger’s 7th record continues to conjure the specter of Van Morrison in such stunning detail. Imitation is one thing – it’s pretty much the impetus of all new music -- but when a contemporary musician’s deviation from an icon borders on the indiscernible, cries of in-authenticity are sure to follow. But what can you do? Dunger’s accent lends itself beautifully to the bluesy, cawing style of the great moondancer, and his orchestrated pseudo-Americana is so flawlessly executed that it’s easy to forget that like Morrison, he’s not, like, actually American. Here’s My Song exhibits a growing mastery of form: Dunger’s days of slinging a guitar over his back are clearly through and here he opts for lusher, piano-based tunes. The songs build and build into massive, celebratory jams and, in the record’s more raucous moments, retro, classic-rock organs cascade over warm horn melodies as Dunger pushes his swaggering, beer-soaked lisp recklessly over the arcing wall of sound. On the more ballad-based numbers, one can almost see the cigarette pressed in Dunger’s lips as he delivers careful croons in sweet, affected tones. Derivative, sure, but Dunger’s is the kind of heart-wrenching retro blues-rock that you could listen to for weeks upon Astral weeks.
(Date of release: March 14, 2006)
