The (otherwise good) come back album "Minor Earth Major Sky" sounded like a puzzle made of solo pieces to me. It was very easy to spot who wrote what. The production slowed down and drained the energy from the songs. This time, the variety of styles implied by various songwriters and various producers does not prevent it from sounding like 'one' album. This is a-ha, with all new flavours blended together. "Lifelines" alternates ballads, mid-tempo and dance songs. It might be disorienting, but it keeps you attentive through the 15 songs.

Magne is responsible for the title track, a ballad with strings, stick-in-your-head chorus and thoughtful melancholic lyrics. It is already one of the fans favourites and might be the next single. It has the classic feel of "Hunting High & Low". A great opener.

The first Magne/Morten collaboration "You wanted more" is a curious track. It seems to build up and up until the end but never really explodes. The electronic loops and the bassline make me think about New Order/Pet Shop Boys/Depeche Mode. I hear some latin vibes drowned in the mix. The first single "Forever Not Yours" was written by Morten, Magne, and Morten's long time collaborator Ole Sverre. This is not the strongest song of the album, but the chorus makes it an instant sing along and a radio friendly hit. If you can catch the video somewhere do not miss the punchline.

"There's a reason for it" is the first Paul's contribution on this album. Departing from the electro sound of the two previous tracks, he offers a Beatles influenced mid-tempo song. I personally like it a lot, but I reckon it lacks of the little spice that will make it special on the long run. That is also the only song where Morten's vocals sound a little bit forced to me.

"Time & Again" is written and produced by Paul. This tender ballad with ethereal vocals was my instant favourite. It gave me the same feeling of peace than "I wish I cared" on "Minor Earth". "Did anyone approach you" is a dance track, with a deep groovy bassline and great vocals from Morten. I like the contrast between his recitative deep voice in the verses and the higher pitch in the chorus. The song has an 80's feeling, but still manage to sound modern. Strange to see Paul wrote that one.

"Afternoon High" is another Beatlesque Paul song. It has a happy 70's feeling to it. I prefer that one over "There's a reason for it" to be honest. It's a great road trippin' song. The next track "Oranges on appletrees", another Morten/Magne collaboration, is getting mixed reviews from the fans. Either you love either you hate. The title was intended as a joke and lyrics ended up talking about serious environmental issues. Maybe the arrangements are a little bit over the top and sounding very 70's, but the result is rather pleasant and energetic - a fun song.

"A little bit", a guitar driven ballad, is a classic Paul's composition. It is one of the most organic songs on the album. "Less than pure" (another one from Paul) makes me think about a downbeat "Move To Memphis". Heavy bass and organic production, this is the rock song of the album. It might have appeared on "Memorial Beach". Those two tracks show the darker side of the band on an album overall filled with optimism.

"Turn the lights down" written by Magne and Morten, is a duet with the excellent Anneli Drecker (from Bel Canto) who was with them on tour last year. Both singers are great and the voices match perfectly, the ballad is sweet, it will please the romantic at heart, but the production might have been more imaginative as far as I'm concerned. "Cannot Hide" is becoming French fans favourite, probably because of the few French words at the end of the song. Morten and his friend Ole Sverre wrote this addictive dance track that make me think about 80's Depeche Mode but sounds curiously modern at the same time.

"White Canvas" is a piano ballad composed by Magne. It plays in the same league than "Lifelines" and the lyrics are more or less talking about the same matters: living an learning, reaching maturity. "Dragonfly", originally recorded by Magne himself for the soundtrack of a Norwegian movie, is a tender guitar/piano ballad. With Morten's experienced vocals, the song gains substance without losing the fragility of the original. It is another favourite of mine. "Solace" ends up the album with another beautiful Magne's strings ballad.

I will not say this is their best album (I still prefer "East Of The Sun West of The Moon") but it is one of their best. It is far superior to "Minor Earth Major Sky". They have ambition for this baby (platinum in their home country two days after its release!). They're right to be proud. This is a great, solid pop album. Listen without prejudice.

Okay, so no one is going to click yes to "was this review helpful to you", but I don't care. The point is, BUY THIS ALBUM SOLELY FOR THE SONG "CANNOT HIDE". It is one of the best songs I have ever heard and is worth the money alone. Seriously. But in any case, you're not just paying for the one song, cause all the other songs are good too, with the title track "Lifelines" a close second. An album worth adding to your collection, some songs faster and harder, others slower and softer, and everything else inbetween. A-Ha have maintained and continued to build a unique, distinctive, and beautiful sound worth having in your collection.

I am sure glad a-ha is back. Even though this CD did not knock me off my chair like the last one did, it sure is starting to grow on me. "Lifelines" is a brilliant ode to the lyrical qualities that first attracted me to a-ha way back in the 80s. I found the rest of the album a complete surprise and a bit of an enigma to what I was used to hearing from them. The more I listen to this CD I find that they have integrated and interpolated this sound into another dimension of musical firmament. "Did Anyone Approach You?" and " A Little Bit" I now find to be miles ahead and very pleasing to the soul. This is a fantastic album.

I have all of a-ha's albums and love each one in its own way. It annoys me that all the USA knows of them is "take on me". Look past this and you will find timeless songs: "hunting high and low", "stay on these roads", "dark is the night", "summer moved on" and now with LIFELINES, a-ha offer more enchanting ballads as well as incredibly cool tracks such as "less than pure" and "reason for it".
Lifelines sees more song writing input from Morten and Mags. The title track is simply beautiful. Morten Harket's icy clean vocals will never be surpassed, he has arguably the finest voice in the music industry. There are a lot of songs on this album, but don't worry; sit back and enjoy - each has something to offer to you if you give it time. A favourite of mine, "A little bit" is a very catchy number from Pal, the major song writing force for so many years.

For those of you who have forgotten a-ha, now is the time to start listening. With the comeback album "Minor earth, Major sky" a-ha proved they were a sound act still capable of producing quality music. If you want an introduction to the modern day a-ha buy this first. This was an excellent album and one of my all time favourites, filled with classic songs. LIFELINES takes over from there and you will not be disappointed.

Let's hope they tour the USA sometime soon.

From start to finish this is just an incredible album. One memorible song after another. Great lyrics and music. White Canvas and Solace are my two favorites.

This is a must buy for any A-ha fan.