My burgeoning love affair with the world of psyche rock has provided me with so many amazing bands to enjoy. Some even dovetail neatly with my other big musical love affair, shoegaze. Falling squarely into that category are Californians; The Asteroid No.4. They’re a self-described shoegaze, dream pop and psychedelic band. Originally formed in Philadelphia in the late 1990s, they’ve remained an active studio and live act, and are highly thought of on the scene. Since forming, the band has had several lineup changes. Over the last ten years, however, they have consistently included Scott Vitt (vocals, guitar), Eric Harms (guitar) and Matty Rhodes (bass, vocals). Drummer Mark Tarlton (formerly of Echodrone) joined the band in the Summer of 2020.
As a johnny come lately fan I joined the A4 fan club after buying 2022’s release Tones Of The Sparrow. It was my kind of reverb drenched goodness plus it came out on Club AC30 which is a by word for quality to me.I couldn’t believe it when I found out it was their eleventh album.
Now they return to us, this time joining Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes label, Silver Arrow Records for their new EP; Tremble.
The EP opens with the title track. The song emerges from the feedback already fully formed. An eighties goth style synth piano taps out over powerful fuzzed out guitars. Those trademark reverbed vocals aren’t far behind and we’re away. The French spoken word section really makes this track stand out!
‘Dandelion’ comes in fast and strong off a machine gun drum intro., This is my kinda gaze, loud-quiet-loud. The summery lyrics are a nice contrast to the metallic tones the band are pulling off. As always, the vocals and harmonies provide a warm blanket of reverby goodness to pull it all together.
There’s something about the intro to ‘Sky Blue’ that reminds me of Ride in their prime. The song quickly morphs into a dual vocal delight. When The Asteroid No 4 choose to lighten up their tone and head into dream pop territory they absolutely nail it every time. I mean, just check out the chorus here. It’s utterly euphoric.
It’s right back into psyche territory as we head for ‘Bad Fruit’. The droning intro into those huge chiming guitars just takes you away into another dimension. When the shimmering vocals appear it just locks us in and it’s soaring through space we go.
The EP closes out with a slice of eighties synth pop in ‘Hollyhock Way’. You could almost envisage the band in eighties clobber in the studio recording this. The song skips along, drums absolutely leading the way. Guitars meander in and out, never intruding on the glorious vocal. A beautiful way to finish.
These five songs are reportedly from the Tones of the Sparrow sessions but for me they stand together and bookend that period of the band’s creativity quite neatly.
Head over to The Asteroid No.4 Bandcamp now to grab a copy of the EP digitally or Amazon for a vinyl copy. Finishing on even better news as the band have finalised the recording of what will be their 12th full length album, slated for release in summer, 2024.
Follow The Asteroid No.4 on social media here…
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