Lindstrøm and Christabelle

Real Life is No Cool (Feedelity)

By Britt Julious
Published: February 5th, 2010 | 7:00am

Real Life is No Cool is a startling tight, sharp, and tremendously hip album from Norwegians Lindstrøm and Christabelle with an undeniable cool resonating throughout the album that makes it so dynamic in a state of music that is severely suffering from a lack of finesse and forethought. Born out of a collaboration between producer Lindstrøm and singer Christabelle (formerly known as Solale) that first began in 2003 with the single “Music (In My Mind),” the latest album Real Life is No Cool stretches the aesthetic of ‘70s and ‘80s disco and funk instrumentation into the current decade.

New single “Lovesick” is a slick and sensual ‘70s funk track. Christabelle talks over the track rather than singing the lyrics, channeling the opening section of Diana Ross’ 1976 single, “Love Hangover.” Her speaking voice – much like her singing voice – is cool yet not affected as she articulates words with a slight, charismatic accent. “Baby Can’t Stop,” another single by the duo, is a raucous yet upbeat charmer. Lindstrøm’s production is reminiscent of the best Latin freestyle and dance-pop of ‘80s groups such as Nu Shooz and Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam. This is a far departure from Lindstrøm’s earlier solo work such as 2008’s ambient techno album, Where You Go I Go Too (Smalltown Supersound), filled with only three epic-in-length tracks. The longest track on Real Life is No Cool clocks in a little under seven minutes and with good reason: this is a pop album. The songs are meant to be consumed easily and repeatedly by the listener at home — and especially on the dance floor.

Lindstrøm and Christabelle official site and Feedelity

Lindstrøm and Christabelle MySpace