Vast - Music for People

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Free Music Notes for Music for People

Free Music Review: "Music" to My Ears
Hit: 5 Stars

Have you ever had a song resonate in your head and in your heart, to the point that it haunts you? And you don't mind being haunted?

Such is "Music for People" by VAST for me.

Long story short, I'd been wanting this CD ever since it came out - a good year ago. For one reason or another, I never got a chance to pick it up. I nearly did more than once and never followed through. I thought fate had it in for me that I'd never hear the lovely stylings of Jon Crosby on these new tracks.

Well, perhaps fate had something different in mind. If you believe in that sort of thing, that is.

I received the CD in the mail a few days ago as a spur-of-the-moment no-holiday-or-birthday-needed surprise from a wonderful friend. I could not have gotten this puppy at a better time. The workdays had been even longer than normal, the days bleaker, but one listen to the CD and I perked right up.

We've all felt ignored or invisible at one point or another. The CD kicks off with the rocking tune, "The Last One Alive." The story there is comparable to "Last Girl on Earth" by Supreme Beings of Leisure, but from a man's point of view instead.

"Free" is just the thing to hear after a long day at work, school - whatever the daily toil may be - or after finding a resolution to a bad situation.

There's something in the sweeping symphonics of "I Don't Have Anything" that makes me think of an eighties video showing the lead singer atop a mountain. This is a good thing.

After an initial, brief hesitation, "The Gates of Rock 'n' Roll" grew on me. Again, softer on the soul than the title might imply.

Then you can rock out to "What Else Do I Need." It invokes more of the spooky choir-and-classic samples that we heard on the debut VAST release.

There is something about the piano introduction of "Blue" that sends chills up my spine. A few verses in, the violins swell and so does your heart. That song is pure poetry in motion.

"Land of Shame" is, in a word, catchy. You will tap your foot and snap your fingers. You may possibly sing it around a campfire.

"A Better Place" ranks right up with there with some of my favorite Duncan Sheik songs. In a word: Beautiful. Again speaking of wanting to be set free, wanting to be released. Pardon me as I bow to the symphony arrangements on this track.

"Song Without a Name" is not to be confused with the instrumental untitled track on the previous album. This song, by contrast, does have lyrics and a story about, yes, a nameless song. It's like an urban legend mixed with a Duran Duran song.

The hopeful dreams dreamt and the promises proudly made in "We Will Meet Again" are just beyond compare. It is so sadly beautiful yet innocently optimistic. It will break your heart yet restore your faith.

"My TV and You" is a fun song. Shake your groove thing to synthesized vocals in a room without a view.

The only instrumental track comes at the close, with "Lady of Dreams." I am a sucker for a well-done waltz that brings ghostly strains with it, and I adore this track beyond compare.

In short: If I had a nickel for every time I've listened to this album in the few days I've owned it, I'd already be rich. It is a beautiful followup to the outstanding debut; if you liked the first, you'll be delighted with this one. Both have unique themes but luckily neither sacrifices the intriguing arrangements nor amazing voice of Jon. I strongly recommend "Music for People" to anyone who has ever hoped, loved, lost, dreamt, wished, wondered, and wanted to be free.

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