What is the indie world going to do now that Steve Jobs has taken a leave of absence from heading Apple? In recent years, there’s no been no surer way for an alternative song to break through to the mainstream than for it to be featured as the soundtrack on a commercial for an iPod – not just Canada’s Feist (QRO live review), but also San Francisco’s The Submarines (QRO photos) & Denmark’s The Asteroids Galaxy Tour (apparently having a pretty frontwoman helps, too – all Oh No Oh My (QRO spotlight on) got was the intro music to a speech by Jobs…). Now the ensemble, founded by singer Mette Lindberg and bassist/keyboardist Lars Iversen, follow up on the success of “Around the Bend” with their debut full-length, Fruit.
The reggae rhythms & riffs to Fruit kind of make The Asteroids Galaxy Tour ‘ska for people who don’t like ska anymore’ (full disclosure: overheard that line from an unknown fan at an AGT show). The band neither sinks into reggae stupor nor shifts into ska hyper-dance, retaining a laid-back, but orchestrated sound, including guitars, horns, keys, and more. Lindberg’s vocals are the key hook: when they grab, like on “Around” (which yes, is included on Fruit), earlier single “The Sun Ain’t Shining No More”, the chorus to opener “Lady Jesus”, or throughout finisher “Bad Fever”, Fruit is catchily enjoyable. When she relaxes, the record is nice but not outstanding, such as on the somewhat forgettable “Satellite” & “Sunshine Coolin’”, or the slow reggae coda “Hero” (which is actually the second-to-last song; a short, but noticeable, space of silence after “Hero” makes it feel like “Bad Fever”, originally the b-side to “Sun Ain’t Shining” was tacked onto the record at the last minute, even though it fits with the rest of the album).
The Asteroids Galaxy Tour actually got their first break when they were handpicked to open for Amy Winehouse, but don’t hold it against them (and they’ll be opening for “I Kissed a Girl” Katy Perry in the Europe this summer…). The band could use more variety on Fruit, especially in their more up-tempo sound; only the, well, ‘pushing’ “Push the Envelope” really builds upon their iPod fame. But they’ve brought an enjoyable sound for all folks.
