Um, okay then. The Asteroid No. 4’s psychedelic mélange is as thick as a mist on a Scottish moor. They purvey a kaleidoscopic approach through their hushed harmonies and cosmic subterfuge, but their penchant for atmospheric indulgence and cosmic cacophony creates a sound that’s often muddled, thwarting any attempt to discern the substance of the song residing within. Offerings like “Hold On” and “Flowers of Ours” are, by turns, haunting and daunting, but the amorphous melodies don’t provide a hook to hang onto. What’s more, with most of the numbers dissolving and disintegrating before the final fade, all that resonates afterwards is merely hazy, blurry residue of the band’s psychedelic sheen. Like other similarly minded outfits with a retro perspective - the Church, the Rain Parade, and Mazzy Star among them -- The Asteroid 4 siphon a ‘60s sensibility, but the lack of more cohesive structure thwarts any attempt to find a true connection. Indeed, in advancing the notion that ambiance can substitute for aptitude, The Asteroid No. 4 will likely continue to spin aimlessly through the cosmos.
-- Lee Zimmerman
