Fruit

I assume, like most people, I was introduced to The Asteroids Galaxy Tour through an iPod commercial. After having the snippet of "Around The Bend" stuck in heavy rotation within my head for days on end, I decided I should check these guys out. However, at the time their album had yet to be released in the US. So I patiently waited, stalking the pages of Amazon.com until the CD finally made its debut. Well, color me pleased. I dig this album. The lead singer's voice is unique and the musical arrangements aren't your generic "Miley" beats.

Stand out tracks are as follows:

Lady Jesus
The Sun Ain't Shining No More
Push The Envelope
The Golden Age
Around The Bend
Bad Fever
Inner City Blues

This band is well worth your pocket change! Give um a shot, support a new artist.

Known for their song "Around the Bend" which is featured in iPod commercials, the band from Copenhagen, Denmark's debut album "Fruit" is characterized by exaggerated vocals, beats built from a myriad of sounds, and a rather interesting use of horns. The band, consisting of vocalist Mette Lindberg and producer Lars Iversen, have built a sound in which classic guitar riffs and drums back computer generated sound. The most interesting thing about their sound is that the technosonic touches are not jarring or grating, they seem to integrate into the sound without much friction. Many people who try to integrate both technosonic touches with classic drums and guitar do so in such a way that either side is rendered useless. In "Fruit" The Asteroids Galaxy Tour integrates the two with precision, allowing both sides to contribute to the overarching sound. Lindberg's unique voice brings the whole thing together with interesting and varied lyrics.
For me, the most interesting thing was the use of different instruments and sounds in order to create a unique sound. Throughout the album you can hear the use of computer generated sounds, synthesizers, guitars, drums, brass instruments, and I think I even heard a xylophone in there somewhere... This creates a unique sound that only they are able to muster.
"Fruit" sets the stage for the album with the opener "Lady Jesus." The song begins with a single trumpet sound, followed by drums, guitar, and vocals. As the song reaches its refrain, the computer generated sounds enter with a sound I don't think I can describe, but it fills out the sound. This is seen throughout the album where the rock sounds of the guitar and drums seem incomplete and are filled out with computer generated sounds that bring the sound full circle.
As the album moves forward it ebbs and flows from songs with quick tempo to slower songs that seem to plod along. All the songs on the album aren't gems, but the concept seems to me to be the more important aspect. Each song seems an experiment with the different sounds at hand and seems like all that experimentation will lead to good things in a follow-up. There are moments that feel a bit overproduced, others that feel underproduced, and some that just don't sound quite right, but they all seem to work towards a goal of a complete sound. There are good things to come from this band so watch out.
As music that integrates classic rock instruments with hip hop like studio production becomes more prominent, it will be interesting how these bands evolve the genre. It seems that this is a step in a direction where you see even more sounds brought together in the studio in order to create new musical paradigms. This can only be a good thing.
This is one of those bands that I feel would blow you away live. With all the different instruments and sounds, it would be an experience unlike any other.

I was really surprised by this album. I wasn't sure what to think about the singer's vocals at first, as she has a very young sounding voice. Though, she comes across surprisingly soulful in some tracks, but fresh and fun, too. Another surprise on this album was it's wide range of influences. It comes across as retro and spacey, with flavors of reggae, funk, and jazz. The lyrics, too, are fun but not brainless. Overall, it's a great chill out and feel good album! I'll be watching this group for sure.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 24 reviews  4.6 out of 5 stars