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Tuesday, 27 March 2007 13:26

While the occasional finger-picked acoustic guitar comes through crystal clear, every other instrument is drenched in echo, including Scott Vitt's everyman vocals.

Philadelphia's the Asteroid #4 continues to deal out its own unique blend of lo-fi psychedelic pop on its fourth album, An Amazing Dream. While the occasional finger-picked acoustic guitar comes through crystal clear, every other instrument is drenched in echo, including Scott Vitt's everyman vocals. Meanwhile, guitars and other effects-laden instruments swirl in the background, frequently overtaking the songs during their final seconds; Eric Harms is credited with "guitars, bass guitar, keyboards, noise," and you can certainly tell he was hard at work on that last one. The sparse production buries what could be monstrous hooks on songs like the Church cover "To Be in Your Eyes" and the band's own "Shoot Out the Stars" and "Go Ahead," but listeners who like their pop with a little less polish likely won't mind. Picture Robert Pollard producing a Matthew Sweet record with My Bloody Valentine's Kevin Shields on guitar and you'll have some idea whether the Asteroid #4 is right for you. B- | Jason Green

RIYL: Guided by Voices, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club