Customer Reviews

Me and You

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While there are some great songs on this album, which should be in any VAST fan's collection, they are all contained in the Generica I-V releases and the Generica double CD. I, along with many other fans are disappointed for two reasons. First, is this release directly contradicts an earlier statement by Jon Crosby (VAST founder/songwriter/sometimes only member):

"I'm a wandering minstrel. These downloads and recordings will be compiled with my pseudo photo-journalistic ruminations on touring in 2008. If I don't die it will all come together to form some kind of art piece in 2008-2009. These songs will not show up on any VAST albums so I am releasing it as Jon Crosby."

And secondly because while these songs are (apparently) from new masters, they aren't substantially re-interpreted for this release.

I would recommend this album for any VAST fan who doesn't already have the Generica material.

...where is the rock? I love VAST. I think Crosby is an intuitive and fantastic songwriter. But quite frankly, we are due for some more heavy VAST. It's what got me hooked in the first place. Songs like "Here", "Touched", "I'm Dying", "Free", "Turquoise", "Thrown Away", etc....

Me and You is a fine album in and of itself. But I was fairly disappointed to hear nothing but slow, serene songs...again (see: April).

I have to respectfully disagree with most of the raters. While it's true that Crosby has seen some harder rocking days, he has always had a level of maturity and introspection in his writing that is rarely heard in heavy, guitar based music.

I've listened to VAST since the beginning, and each album shows a natural progression of growth from an artist who not only writes exquisitely, but is not afraid to experiment. And while I like Crosby's penchant for dark lyrics, this album has some of his most uplifting lyrics to date - and they're a welcome balance.

Great artists never wallow in thier past, no matter how successful or brilliant it was. Imagine if Bowie was still singing only Space Oddity.


This is another stunning piece of work from a criminally underated artist.

Peace,

The only reason I gave this album two stars instead of one is because the music itself is great, but not as good as Jon's music should be. Two stars because the originality of the music and the lyrics is completely gone. The musical part is completely lacking the edge (as another reviewer mentioned) and inventiveness of earlier works. The lyrics are completely teen angst and predictable, not to mention that his voice is just off-key enough to make anyone with perfect pitch wince. If you are a fan of the first VAST album or Music for People, this will blow you away, and not in a good way. If you enjoyed April, (which I would give only maybe 3 stars to, by the way), you might like this one. All in all, I would say, skip it. Maybe something else better will come along next time.

If your allready a Vast fan that you'll find this album to be just "OK" in comparison to some of the early Vast material. If your new to Vast and have no idea what Vast sounds like than like most people who first discover Vast you will be taken by the talent and unusual emotional and often dark presentation that Vast is. On this album, Vast combines some indie with some country and the traditional dark alternative trademark rock style that Vast is known for. At times heartbroken and other times angry Vast (Jon Crosby the creator/songwriter who essentially is Vast) writes lovesongs for people who have been through the ups and downs of romantic turbulence. Another good album indeed, but not as amazing as previous albums such as "Music For People" and the essential Vast album "Visual Audio Sensory Theatere".

Have you check the wikipedia page of Generica:

quote : "
"In late 2007 and early 2008, Jon Crosby released five download-only EPs on the band's website, under the collective title Generica, which was to be "an exploration of people, places and American music." The first three volumes were composed of solo acoustic guitar songs, while the last two were recorded along with VAST band members under the name "Jon Crosby And The Resonator Band". Crosby stressed the difference between this outfit and VAST:
" When we put out "April" we were toying with the idea of releasing it as a JCRB album because the style was such a departure from previous VAST music. But then I thought, just because the music is different that doesn't mean it has to be a side project. Plus, a side project with the same members seemed a little bizarre. As we were recording the songs that would eventually go on Generica five we planned on putting them on a VAST album. Commercially it would have made more sense because people have heard of VAST but most people have not heard of JCRB. But to me, this music isn't VAST.""

See ? He said himself that for him generica albums weren't really Vast albums (or what he think a vast album should be) ...but in order for the fans to find this album, and cuz this album his made by the same member he made this "generica compilation" a "Vast" album

So they're hope if like me You've loved April but desperately want something less bland than Generica (AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !!!!!!!!!!! SuperJon's turning into Jon Kent it's unbeareable !!! Where's the soul of Vast ? The passion ?? The shiver down my skull and the feeling of :

"3...2... 1... BLAAASSTTT OFFFFF !!!! I'm evaporating into the sky singing with the angels !!! ARRRRRRRRGGG This is so good I'll have to change my underwater later !!!!"

I don't know but with Generica I don't feel it anymore... :(

I have been a big fan of VAST since 2001, and I am a major fan of Jons earlier work, which i think, has more edge to it. The Me and You album starts of a bit edgy and then totally goes soft! What happened Jon?? Theres no more kick ass rock! You used to rock hard. Now its all slow and drab. BLAHHH! Bring back the edge! The first two songs on the album are the only two i like! Very disappointing for me.

I've been a VAST fan since the first album in 1998. I loved that big powerful sound. Then, as Music for the people and Nude came out, even though I liked those albums as well, to me, VAST was not getting any better. Forward to Me and You, and VASTs new album is suddenly my favorite album of the year (and I buy about 200 CD per year). As I'm 11 years older now than when the original album came out, I can appreciate this album being on the mellow side. There aren't any distorted guitars on this album which makes it feel largely acoustic (but with drums). But it's still great to play loud.

If you like beautiful and melancholic songs, this CD is for you. The songs are simply amazing. Highly recommended.

Thanks to the other reviewers, I realized that I've missed the last two albums, Turquoise & Crimson and April. They are on order now. Listening to the clips from April, it sounds like it's about the same style as this one.

I just bought this CD 2 seconds ago, well maybe two minutes ago because i didnt even know that it was out, but listening to the samples i heard; I think it is the Vast that i have grown to love. Very melencholy and enchanting! I cant wait to listen to the whole CD through! Vast is the best when your lying in bed with the one you love and hearing this great vocal talent that Jon has and the music behind him. Such peace in an otherwise loud world1