These Flowers of Ours

VINYL FORMAT. Supposedly named after Vesta, the brightest asteroid in our solar system, the moniker Asteroid #4 is an obvious nod to Spacemen 3, the classic UK band which Philadelphia's Asteroid 4 repeatedly cite as an influence. In fact, one of the group's earliest recorded offerings was an even spacier (if that's possible) version of "Losing Touch With My Mind" on Rocket Girl's tribute compilation to Spacemen 3.

Like the Brian Jonestown Massacre or Philly brethren The Lilys, Asteriod #4 have maintained a few core members but watched countless others come and go. Despite this challenge in continuity, the band has never called it quits. If truth be told, perhaps it has been the near-constant change in personnel over the last decade or so that's made the band what it is today. Their sound, a hypnotic hybrid of several different genres filtered through the kaleidoscope of all things psych, krautrock, shoegaze, folk and even 70s "cosmic" country rock, has matured them to the point of originality rather than simply homage.

These Flowers of Ours was released in 2008. Bolstered by the success and momentum of their previous album, An Amazing Dream, These Flowers was critically acclaimed worldwide as a masterpiece. They had finally "honed their sound, creating a self assured and richly textured album that transcends its influences, although echoes of The Rain Parade and Spacemen 3, can still be heard."