[rating=3.50]
The Asteroids Galaxy Tour’s Out of Frequency attempts to build on the retro-futuristic style explored in the band’s debut album while streamlining their sound for a broader audience. Rising from the success of hit singles “The Golden Age” and “Around the Bend,” the band uses funky horns and Mette Lindberg’s fantastic voice to craft a full-length album complete with intros, transitions and breaks that showcase The Asteroids Galaxy Tour’s raw musical talent. However, while the band’s sophomore release offers listeners a fun and unique experience, it ultimately fails to evolve beyond 2009’s Fruit.
Out of Frequency demonstrates both the musical skill of The Asteroids Galaxy Tour and the technical savvy of producer Lars Iversen. While some tracks like “Major” feature catchy, rhythm-driven horn arrangements intended to complement Lindberg’s one-of-a-kind vocals, others like “Suburban Space Invader” use space-age synthesizer fills that highlight the band’s ability to traverse time within their music. At times, “Major” feels like The Asteroids Galaxy Tour’s would-be anthem, as trumpets reminiscent of an old-time mafia film paint a backdrop for Lindberg to emphatically (and somewhat sarcastically) shout, “This is what you got, major ambition.” Title track “Out of Frequency” stands as the centerpiece of the album, as pronounced bass lines and a unique flute solo with 1970’s feel blend flawlessly with Lindberg’s psychedelic vocals, interesting lyrics, and a gripping descending square synthesizer riff. Though several songs such as “Theme From 45 Eugenia” leave the listener feeling annoyed by length, boring lyrics, and repetitive melodies, overall Out of Frequency prominently highlights the band’s ability to cohere and write entertaining music that fits the band’s time-traveling, galaxy-hopping aesthetic.
The instrumental solidarity heard in Out of Frequency, as well as the compelling flow of the album, undoubtedly result from the talents of The Asteroids Galaxy Tour producer and band member Iversen. By polishing the band’s general sound to fall in line with Fruit’s hit singles “The Golden Age” and “Around the Bend,” Iversen has played a significant role in crafting an incredibly consistent album full of potential singles. While each track adopts its own version of the retro-aesthetic characteristic of the two singles that made the band famous, Iversen textures the tracks with fills and arrangements that help distinguish them from one another and give individual tracks an illusion of originality. In addition, Iversen has ensured that Out of Frequency flows in a natural, yet creative, progression. The album’s first three tracks cohere into one, and the album proceeds to follow a path of peaks and valleys. Out of Frequency’s worst songs are sandwiched between two strong segments, allowing the album to run a natural course and finish strong without falling flat.
The most glaring and disappointing issue with The Asteroids Galaxy Tour’s sophomore effort is that it fails to display significant maturation from the band’s 2009 debut. Though Out of Frequency features excellent production and showcases the band’s collective potential, after several listens most songs on the album simply start sounding like re-hashed versions of Fruit‘s two breakout singles. The cracks in the album thus begin to show as the consistency of the album begins to feel more like a façade attempting to hide a complete lack of creativity, innovation and ultimately growth. While variation is certainly visible between tracks, the band’s style of play grows monotonous, particularly through the section of the album featuring the grinding trio “Cloak and Dagger,” “Arrival Of The Empress (Prelude),” and “Theme from 45 Eugenia.” Though Out of Frequency demonstrates the streamlining of the band’s sound, the album struggles to develop and establish the creativity and freshness expected from up-and-coming bands with such a unique aesthetic. Out of Frequency retains great replay value, but undoubtedly fails to impress those who prefer to discover new contour and texture within an album after the first few listens.
Despite these shortfalls, with this album The Asteroids Galaxy Tour emphatically establishes itself as a band full of potential with the penchant for writing enjoyable and appealing music. If Iversen, Lindberg and company can fuse the punch and energy in Out of Frequency with the musical variation prevalent in Fruit, an incredibly strong third album will very likely follow. As a band, The Asteroids Galaxy Tour possess raw talent and a keen eye for strong production technique– the only ingredient missing is musical maturity.
