Every once in awhile, the music gods smile down upon me and I discover something new and fantastic. That happened recently when I picked up VAST's Nude album. Amazing, simply amazing. My initial impression was Bono mixed with Remy Zero, and throw in a dash of Depeche Mode and The Cure. And then throw in some more random influences (i.e. the track "I Can't Say No (To You)" has a distinct Middle Eastern feel). Most reviews mention "lush" in their description of the album's sound, and criticize that the layering of sounds can be a bit much. Bah! on them. Nude is a masterpiece in my opinion, and the only complaint is that it leaves me wanting more. Well and that it could be a little stronger on the lyrics.

Here's a great quote about the group:

"Actually, VAST is little more than a one-man band. Jon Crosby was something of a boy-wonder when he was featured in Guitar Player magazine at age thirteen. At sixteen, he started his band, VAST (Visual Audio Sensory Theater) and soon got signed to the Elektra label, who released two of his albums. On this new CD, Charlie Benante and Thomas Froggatt play (some) drums and bass respectively, but VAST is really just Crosby. This is his music, his emotions, his soul that is being bared here."

Bonus points to the reviewer for mentioning Marillion. Nice.

It's hard to pick out only one song, but I'm going with "Japanese Fantasy." I love the layering of Jon Crosby's voice in the chorus.

"The rocket ship took me so far away
From the fields where I had lost my way
A million people with a million souls
On a rocket ship that lost control

All I ever wanted was to feel like I
Had done something with my life
All I found was you ..."

Comments [1] : Permalink

Published: (2005-05-24 14:47:06.0)