Sunday, September 2, 2018

NORRBOTTENS JÄRN – Drömmarnas värld (Manifest, 1975) / Järnet (Manifest, 1977)

Drömmarnas värld (Manifest, 1975)
Swedish vocals, instrumental
International relevance: **

Norrbottens Järn was the band Ted Ström was in after leaving Contact.

”Drömmarnas värld” features several ironic comments to the commercial society, its music and fashion (the album cover is an obvious mockery of ABBA). However, some of the lyrics just sound stingy and grumpy, but they're indeed valuable as examples of the leftist reactionary era the album was made in. Also, too many pastiches make ”Drömmarnas värld” theatrical. A couple of quite good songs nevertheless, especially ”Jag och du”, ”Flugornas hage” and ”Puttes barn” (the last two actually written by guitarist Bo Sundberg).

Järnet (Manifest, 1977)
Swedish vocals
International relevance: **
 
Ted Ström left the band after their first album but wrote some of the songs on ”Järnet”. It's similar in style to ”Drömmarnas värld” and shares most of its weaknesses. Too many corny and/or irritating pastiches and too few good songs. The best are the last two last tracks, the dramatic ”Chile” and the dreamy ”Vaggvisa” (with some easily detectable Hendrix quotes). Also, the version of "Låt i framstegstakt" is better than the one Ted Ström himself did on his "Kärva lägen" album.

A 1975 radio appearance is available in "Progglådan".

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