MÖRBYLIGAN – Järtecken (Mistlur, 1980) / No. 003 (Bastun, 1982)

Swedish vocals
International relevance: -

As I mentioned in my review of their first album, Mörbyligan appealed to both proggsters, punks and so called ordinary people. Later albums didn't quite match the popularity of early songs like ”Ensamma Sussie” though. Their debut album ”Mörbyligan” hasn't aged well at all and appears hopelessly cringeworthy today, but already second album ”Järtecken” is worse. It sounds like a third rate Nationalteatern and their wishy-washy social pathos sounds fake. Especially in hindsight as their songwriter Åke Bylund later turned to nationalist politics. Their appropriately titled third album ”No. 003” is along those same lines and is downright dreadful with Mörbyligan going for a radio friendly classic rock sound and even shoddier songs.

from "Järtecken":
Lilla Sussie är död / Patrasket / 1902 (Nygammal kampsång) / Vi tjejer / Johnny Rumpvick / Varje vår / En ny dag / Davy Crockett / ABC för gossebarn / Kojan / Svarta oceaner / Kalles jul / Östermalm 
from "No. 003":
Det är nu som vi måste leva / Japaner, japaner (Vilket drag...) / Du / Frihetsgudinnan Hagen (Det är dags att sova igen) / Hon kunde dansa över ängarna / Lilla Sophie / ID 19 (CV2)

MÖRBYLIGAN – Mörbyligan (Mistlur, 1979)

Swedish vocals

International relevance: * 

Mörbyligan was a unique band insofar they appealed to both the progg minded, some punks and 'ordinary people' who helped making the songs ”Snälla pappa” and ”Ensamma Sussie” immensely popular at the end of the 70's. Their name translate to ”the Mörby gang”, Mörby being a part of wealthy Stockholm suburb Danderyd – not a place that usually leaps to mind when socialist oriented bands like Mörbyligan are mentioned. Leader Åke Bylund later took a sharp turn towards nationalist views – was Mörbyligan's stance an honest one to begin with, or were they just being opportunists cashing in on the general left wing atmosphere still prevalent at the end of the 70's? One thing's for sure, we can't ask Bylund as he died in 2005 from diabetes related complications.

Bylund had been a drummer for late 60's band East-West who released one 45 with an impressive version of Neil Young's Buffalo Springfield song ”Mr. Soul”. In 1974, he founded Chilly Chimes who released the ”Join the Army” 7” the following year and also had two tracks on the 1978 various artists compilation ”Ljud från Friberga”. They changed their name to Mörbyligan the following year, and released two EP's before making their eponymous album debut.

It doesn't really matter if the opinions Mörbyligan expressed were genuine or not, because the album doesn't sound at all as fresh as it did upon its original release. Their heavyhanded rock music comes off as faked and the humour apparent on some of the tracks just sounds silly today. At best, ”Mörbyligan” sounds like the work of some Nationalteatern wannabes of limited talent.

Mörbyligan made six further albums up until 1995, including the equally ignorable ”Järtecken” in 1980. They stopped touring in the mid-80's due to Åke Bylund's illness and hearing loss. He eventually took a swing to the far right and had a nationalist solo project as Odalmannen, and wrote books inspired by Norse mythology, using different nom de plumes.

Full album playlist with bonus tracks from second album