VAST Music For People CD

MUSIC FOR PEOPLE is a watery-sounding but oddly effective mix of post-industrial noise recalling Trent Reznor, Eno-esque ambient music, and psychedelic pop of both '60s and late '80s shoe-gazer varieties.

Head Vast honcho Jon Crosby is an impressive guitarist. As a singer he essentially has two vocal styles; depending on the song, it's either the sort of operatic lack of affect that has served as a signifier for artsy angst since David Bowie in his experimental days, or simply full bore Bono circa "Where the Streets Have No Name." The standout track here is "Land of Shame," which starts out as a sort of homage to "Sunny Afternoon" period Kinks, before Crosby cranks up the distorted guitars and processed robotic vocals.

Recorded at Palindrome, Venice, California; Mat Hatter, Sunset Sound, The Hook North and Oceanway, Hollywood, California; Western Outdoor Mumbai, India.

Engineers include: Blumpy, Rail Rogut, Rich Mouser.

VAST: Jon Crosby (vocals, guitar, hammered dulcimer, flute, trombone, harpsichord, organ); Rowan Robertson (electric guitar); David Baerwald (lap steel guitar); Thomas Froggatt (bass); Steve Clark (drums); Blumpy (programming); John Staples (background vocals).

Additional personnel: The New Bombay Recording Orchestra.

Q (11/00, p.117) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...A mighty step towards esatblishing Jon Crosby as a genuine Goth King contender. he has goth's grnaduer but he can sing properly....They have an innate understanding of how to construct giant pop..."
Melody Maker (9/19/00, p.51) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...For people who love the idea of Marilyn Manson, but wish he'd write the odd tune or two....there's a brilliantly overblown, stadium-vibrating pomposity that saves them..."
NME (Magazine) (10/28/00, p.41) - 7 out of 10 - "...Strong, well-crafted tunes which never slip their moorings....Crosby's commercial instincts, and love for classic early '80s goth-rock should carry him to the beaches of acclaim and success..."