Ryg Og Rejs Morgen Middag Aften by The Marshalls: A Forgotten Danish Pop Gem
Let me tell ya, stumbling across Ryg Og Rejs Morgen Middag Aften felt like finding an old vinyl at a flea market that just kinda calls to you. Released in '73 by The Marshalls—a band I honestly didn’t know much about until now—this album is pure vintage Danish pop magic. Produced by Gustav Winckler (yeah, he’s got that classic Euro-touch), it came out on Sonet Records, which was big back then for jazz and pop acts. But this? This feels different. It’s cozy but sharp, nostalgic yet weirdly ahead of its time.
The tracklist ain’t long, but man, does it pack a punch. You’ve got “Ryg Og Rejs,” “Morgen,” “Middag,” and “Aften.” Simple titles, right? Like they’re naming parts of your day, almost too casual. But don’t let that fool ya—it hits deep when you least expect it.
Take “Morgen” (that’s "morning" if your Danish is rusty). This one sticks with me because it’s so damn hopeful without being cheesy. Imagine waking up early, sunlight sneaking through the curtains, and there’s this soft piano melody pulling you into the day. Then the vocals kick in—clear, warm, not trying too hard—and suddenly you feel ready to face whatever crap life throws at you. It’s not overly complicated; no wild guitar solos or anything flashy. Just… nice. Like someone handed you a cup of coffee and said, “You’ll be okay.”
And then there’s “Aften” (“evening”). Oh, this one sneaks up on you. It starts slow, almost sleepy, like those moments after dinner when everything gets quiet. But halfway through, something shifts—it’s subtle, maybe a string section swelling or the rhythm tightening up—and BAM, it grabs you. Feels like staring out a window as the sky turns dark, thinking about all the stuff you didn’t say today. Bittersweet, yeah, but also kinda comforting. Like, hey, tomorrow’s another shot.
What gets me most about this album is how human it feels. These songs aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel—they’re just snapshots of ordinary days turned extraordinary by good songwriting. Sure, it’s from 1973, and yeah, some bits might sound dated, but isn’t that part of the charm? Listening to it feels like flipping through an old photo album where every page has a story you half-remember.
Here’s the kicker though: Why doesn’t anyone talk about this anymore? Seriously, how do albums like this slip through the cracks? Maybe it’s because Denmark wasn’t exactly pop central back then, or maybe people were too busy grooving to ABBA (no shade, they’re great too). Whatever the reason, rediscovering Ryg Og Rejs Morgen Middag Aften made me realize we need more music that celebrates the little things—the mornings, middays, evenings—that make life worth living.
So go dig this one up if you can. Play it while cooking breakfast or winding down at night. Let it remind you that sometimes, simplicity says more than any grand gesture ever could.
