Even though we don’t normally do album reviews, or reviews in general here at Form to Follow (and I know, the world probably reached it’s maximum limit of know-it-all-seen-it-all hipster reviewers some time ago) we decided we should probably do some. So in lack of anything better to write about, the first ever album review here at FtF will be of the Norwegian space-disco producer Lindstrøm and Christabelle’s new LP.

Lindstrøm has joined forces with the artist formerly known as Solale, Christabelle again for his newest project. The new 10-tracker is out on Smalltown Supersound in most stores in Januray, except for this three disc exclusive set available now only through Rough Trade. The new record shifts, with lots of help from Chrstabelles vocals, away from the familiar spacey Lindstrøm territory, into a more pop-induced neighbourhood – and it’s not necessary a bad thing.

The king of space-disco, Hans-Petter Lindstrøm has been keeping busy the past year. After last years epic three track debut LP, The long way home, he has released the second full length LP with his previous partner in crime, Prins Thomas, in addition to the “Leftover EP”, a grandiose 42 minute take on the Christmas classic “Little Drummer Boy” and the a-bit-more-disco-than-space album collaboration in question.

The space suits are put away, the starship’s in the shop and Christabelle has brought pop to the control station. Compared to Lindstrøm’s previous releases, especially keeping in mind “Where You Go I Go To”, which might be my favourite record from last year, “Real Life Is No Cool” is much more pop based. The arrangement is not nearly as minimal — there are a lot more elements coming into play and the sound is jolly, cheerful and gay (the pre 1960 meaning of the word). The tracks are considerably shorter, making them more hit-single appropriate (“Lovesick” and “Baby Don’t Stop” being strong candidates) and some songs are even arranged, to some extent, with a classic pop single dramaturgy.

The thought of a popified Lindstrøm without the epic and minimalistic production can sound like a pointless experiment. Since he does the opposite so good, I was thinking he shouldn’t mess with the natural order of things, but as it turns out, Hans-Petter Lindstrøm isn’t just a good space-disco producer. He’s a good producer. Period. Christabelles vocals are very appropriately accompanied and the two sides of the collaboration works very well together. Christobelle, Feedelity’s “first lady”, contributes with a sexy and a bit quirky vocal, although I must confess I sometimes find it to be a bit mundane (on “keep It Up” and partly on “Let It Happen” in particular), but it’s a good performance and Lindstrøm contextualizes it perfectly with the right textures and editing.

In all honesty though, the LP could be composed a bit better. Some parts, like “Keep It Up” and “Music In My Mind” are a bit trivial, leaving you with an unsatisfactory feeling of not achieving anything substantial. But then again, can you really expect a pop-album to do that? At least, it doesn’t have to do that. And the fact of the matter is, after listening through the whole lot, I do wonna go again. it’s cetchy, fun and a definite pleaser through the long dark winter.

PS: If you can’t wait till 2010 to get the thing (which sounds like lightyears away), head over to Rough Trade and just buy it now and you’ll get the enormous, magical 42-minute edit of “Little Drummer Boy” aswell in a 3 disc pack!

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Lindstrøm & Christabelle — “Lovesick”

Lindstrøm & Christabelle — “Baby Don’t Stop (Aeroplane remix)” (From the bonus disc)

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Trakclist:

01 Looking for What
02 Lovesick
03 Let It Happen
04 Keep It Up
05 Music in My Mind
06 Baby Can’t Stop
07 Let’s Practise
08 So Much Fun
09 Never Say Much
10 High & Low