If Soul Rush brought
Nicolai Dunger to America's attention (via Lakeshore's domestic release), the Swedish singer/songwriter kicks things up a notch with
Tranquil Isolation. This time he actually recorded in the States -- specifically the state of Kentucky -- with such quintessentially American musicians as
Will and Paul Oldham of the Palace Brothers. With all the American influences in his music -- jazz, folk, blues, and gospel --
Dunger's decision to record here makes as much sense in theory as in practice (and he's also collaborated with New York psych-rockers
Mercury Rev on occasion). If nothing on the album is quite as majestic as string-laden opening track "Last Night I Dreamt of Mississippi" -- and even if
Dunger's the kind of scarf-wearing gent who can sing about "mamas" and "lovers" without a lick of irony -- the relaxing spell
Tranquil Isolation casts remains unbroken throughout. And
Dunger's flexible voice couldn't be more distinctive; whether he's moaning, crooning, or humming, he comes across like a bolder
Nick Drake (see "Cello Song") or
Astral Weeks-era
Van Morrison, which is to say that his record collection must surely have a few British and Irish artists sprinkled in amongst all the
Tim Buckley,
Miles Davis, and
Mississippi John Hurt LPs. ~ Kathleen C. Fennessy