Vast - Music For People

VAST is one of those bands that's really just one guy doing everything, in this case that man's name is Jon Crosby. This album comes across as a lot softer than the previous release Visual Audio Sensory Theatre and in many ways it is. Music For People isn't all hard guitars and in your face the whole time (which isn't a bad thing). Jon Crosby apparently had some relationship trouble before writing this album because the theme of love lost runs throughout the entire album. But somehow it works. Songs like "I Don't Have Anything" seem like they are whiny cries for help over love lost but the way the song is constructed they come across as honest emotions coming out, no cheesy bitching here. The string arrangements throughout the entire album add another element to the depth of the songs, even if they are used very subtley. The otherworldly vocal loops used more predominantly in the first album are still present on Music for People but don't happen as often (though you will even catch some oddities like horns), the music is more driven by the somewhat electronic drumbeats and of course the forceful choruses. Jon Crosby hasn't lost his touch for writing good songs, he's just toned it down somewhat for Music For People, give it a few listens before giving up on it. Before losing all faith be sure to listen to "The Gates of Rock N' Roll", "My TV and You", "The Last One Alive", and "Free." [www.realvast.com]