Customer Reviews

April

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I've been a fan of VAST for several years already. However, I remember during the first three albums I thought I could even describe how VAST was. I generally told people it was electronic rock with new wave & other dark pop sounds, sometimes meshed with worldly elements. Well, you think that's what's on "April"?

That actually couldn't be further from the truth. But that's not a bad thing at all. It's a change of pace, but there's still the overall meloncholy feel that's been in the more recent VAST work. The real surprise for me, other than the lack of voice samplings, is the fact that NONE of these are electric guitar tracks let alone distorted. I was used to even a few of these songs here and there even on Music for People there were heavier moments. Also, I remembered thinking that was a stripped down sounding VAST album. This album proves more of my previous conceptions to be incorrect.

"April" is a strong return for VAST after three years. One thing I really like about the record is how well-recorded it is. The studio is just incredible. VAST could just match a stripped down album with some lo-fi production but instead makes the elements all shine through, and it doesn't sound flat in the least. Don't worry if this is awkward, there's still quite a bit of orchestration on the record and Jon sounds good as usual. Where he at times echoed his influences he now doesn't even sound like those. It's more Americana influenced than before too. I guess this is a taste of Jon Crosby & the Resonator band to come. That would be great too.

I don't mind that Jon's continued the more "downer" songs. They still remain really beautiful on here, like on the instant classic "Everything Passing By," which actually kind of reminds me of "The Scientist" by Coldplay in its structure in parts. The music is definitely a big maturation from before. Jon's lyrics are sometimes pretty interesting ("You're a zombie in a dress and I'm your clown") and at other times can make some pretty nice stories, possibly inspired by other Americana artists (see "Tattoo of Your Name"). Also, it has a couple of songs that were co-written with other people, like "Sunday I'll Be Gone" which was written with former VAST guitarist Patrick McGuire.

It's been four albums and I don't know if I can be critical to any VAST music. But I guess I couldn't be more thankful for the fact that Jon's making music and putting approaches that I could have even appreciated perfectly if he was going in a formula towards the other records (which are more in the root of what I listen to anyway). A strong album of the year contender. It's too bad that not many people buy VAST albums, and these are the ones who are more focused on whining about how no good music is out. Go figure.

I've been a fan of Jon Crosby's VAST since he released the very first album and have had the pleasure of following the evolution of his music ever since then. Like some of the other reviews have already pointed out, his latest effort is quite unlike the first three albums. However, this is most definitely NOT a bad thing. Jon's music evolves with time, but it's still Jon's music. Unlike other bands who change their sound just to move with the times or in an attempt to stay popular, his band changes their sound in an attempt to follow their own unique style. Yes, I will be the first to admit that I miss the dark, electronic sounds of the first album. I miss the heavier tracks present even in their last album, "Nude", which was already considerably mellower than the first two. Regardless, there are three things that I can still appreciate that will most likely never change: the sound of Jon Crosby's voice, his beautiful musical arrangements, and his clever lyrics.

Jon released a first version of this album months before he released the official, finished product. The fans had the opportunity to hear the music he was working on while it was still in its initial stages. He did it when he released "Nude" as well and I think fans really appreciated being somehow included in the process. I have to say that I love the versions of the songs that he released on the finished "April". Among my favorites are "Sunday I'll Be Gone", which featured higher pitched vocals (compared to the first version he released) that suit Jon's voice rather well, and "Frog", a song that I'd heard mentioned before by fans because it was apparently played in previous shows, and yet never recorded. Of course, "Tattoo of Her Name" has a not-quite country feel to it, matching the lyrics perfectly and sounding amazing. "You're Too Young" has a very cool guitar riff in the beginning and in between the chorus and verses that I really love.

Overall a very solid album. Yes, it isn't quite like the style of music we all tend to associate with VAST's earlier, but so what? It's good music, well-written, and beautifully arranged. If you prefer VAST's first album, it might take a few listens to really get used to it (I admit I've had to listen to several songs a few times to really appreciate them; I had to do the same thing with "Nude"). I still miss the heavier tracks, such as "Turquoise", "Thrown Away", or "The Last One Alive", and like another reviewer, I hope he integrates tracks like that in the next album. Regardless, 5 stars for another brilliant piece of music by VAST.

Upon initial listens to this album, I think it's the best Vast album yet. It's subtler, but Jon Crosby seems to have combined all the best elements of his previous three albums into a sound that's very uniquely his own and come out with something that's wonderfully emotional, warm, poetic and beautiful. Maybe he's found his groove with this album. It's very complete. It doesn't feel like it's missing anything and it doesn't feel like there's anything that should be removed. If I could draw one complaint, it may be that there aren't any real heavy songs. If Jon can incorporate that element back into the next album, he may be able to take Vast to new highs. This album was worth the wait. It just edges out their debut, which before now I thought to be their best work. I highly recommend it.

I have eagerly anticipated this album and after a couple of listens I am not surprised at the direction. Ever since Jon Crosby's inaugral release V.A.S.T. each subsequent album has been a little softer than its predecessor. April is a much quieter folk/indie type album, but without the brilliance of the individual songs from earlier efforts.

Given Crosby's ability to write a tear jerker (Flames, We will meet again, Lost) I am quite disappointed that he hasn't managed to replicate these efforts even once on April. On his previous albums, the simplicity of lyric, the ethereal backing vocals or minimalistic arrangements - and always with the threat of violent hard rock guitars - really worked. Here are 12 songs that sound the same and never achieve any highs, either in emotion or in pure rock. If I am going to listen to a melancholic album Beck's Seachange is far more successful at sending me into a down tempo mood.

Once again, VAST has released an amazing album. Unfortunately, many people will never hear it. I have been a fan of this group since the first album was released. VAST is one of my 3 favorite groups, and I'm always looking for new VAST music. I actually downloaded the early version of this album (like I do with most VAST albums) from the Internet and liked it. Now that it has been refined and had new songs added to it, I love it. VAST has beautiful music, and it's a shame that most people will never hear it. Of all VAST albums (I own them all), this ranks about third for me. Check out "Nude" and "Turquoise and Crimson" for more music that's similar to this album. Listen to their earlier works for heavier rock music. I love where VAST has ended up, the music is amazing.

Some of the songs on this album took a little while to grow on me. It's definitely very different from any other album that VAST has put out thus far, but that's not a bad thing. Songs like "Frog" and "I'm a Vampire" were a little odd to me at first, but their oddness has made them all the more appealing to me now. The album contains many beautiful songs such as "Dedicate", "Sunday, I'll be Gone" and "Take me With You". This is not to be missed. Give it a shot, and after first listen, if you don't love the songs, give it a bit of time and I'm sure that your mind will change!

Jon Crosby (who is Vast) is a talented and under-rated artist. Bad luck and questionable record company decisions have diminished Croby's status. In a perfect world, Vast would be appreciated and heard. April finds Vast in a reflective and mellow mood. Their first album made one think of Nine Inch nails with better melodies and mysterious chants; this album (their fourth) is similiar to U2, Love and the Moody Blues. Jon Crosby's string arrangements are moving and heartfelt.

The album is ballad heavy. There are two ballads here (Everything Passes By and One More Day) that are equal to any done by U2. If you love moving ballads then this is the Vast cd for you. Mr. Crosby's ability to write lovely melodies with soaring string arrangements are perhaps unmatched in today's popular music.

April is the mellowest album by Vast. There are no songs here that match the power of past tunes like "Here" or "Thrown Away". If you're into NIN or Tool you'll be more interested in their first or second album (Music for People). If you're into classic melodic pop (Beatles, Love or U2) then April or their third album Nude (my favorite) should be your choice. If you like the Yin and the Yang, the hard and the soft and all kinds of great music (past and present) then buy everything from this under appreciated and fantastic band. You won't be disappointed...

An enjoyable listen, VAST offers a unique sound that's a nice break from what's always broadcast over the radio. My fave tracks were "I Am the Vampire" and the heartbreaking "Take Me With You." Definitely worth the purchase.

After Video Audio Sensory Theater, Turquoise, Crimson, and Music for People -- all of which I absolutely loved -- this album was a bit of a disappointment for me. The songs strike me as slow, and none of them capture me. It's good background music -- for the most part soft, pleasant, and melodic -- but I can't get into it. It just doesn't have the magic of previous albums. If you've never listened to VAST before, don't let this be your first album. Start with Video Audio Sensory Theater. The song "Touched" will blow your socks off.

I've been listening to VAST for a long time and will admit that I have been disappointed with most of their later albums as a whole. What makes this album so great is that it is a true departure from most previous efforts and much modern music as a whole. There is far less technical sequencing and the songs feel much more organic. April sounds like The Doors or Morrison with a heaping slice of dark, Gothic imagery. I find the album reminiscent of some of the earliest rock albums of the sixties. Buy this album and I can almost guarantee you'll start singing along with most of the songs within one or two listens whether it be the darkly narrative "Tattoo of Your Name" or the quirky, cheesy, yet oh so catchy "I am a Vampire". It's catchy, soulful, and so very, very dark.