Vast – April

• 4th Apr 2008

Although not complete strangers to these shores, it is almost criminal just how unknown Vast still are over here. Especially for those that have had the pleasure to hold them in high regard, or if not, then in a very unique place in their hearts.

It’s hard to give a number to this new album as they have released so much material through their website; Certainly innovators to a trend that other bands have cottoned onto. Releasing material this way is by far cheaper in production costs, and also cheaper for the fans. But they also do release the hard CD as well.

So with April it is technically a 5th or 6th album? But as far as the cannon goes it is technically their 4th album. ‘Visual Audio Sensory Theatre’ kicked things off followed two years later by the equally dynamic ‘Music for People.’ A few years later and they released two works in progress called ‘Turquoise’ and ‘Crimson’ both of which are now realised in their official cannon, but really both were the precursor for the proper third album ‘Nude’ on which many of the tracks appeared. This then brings us to April. It was released in the states a year ago in a much more acoustic and mellow form.

Not content with others meddling with his baby, Job Crosby has put on his best George Lucas boots and decided to go back and re-jig it up for this new version of the album.

As with ‘Turquoise’ & ‘Crimson’ compared with ‘Nude,’ this album makes for an interesting comparison with, er, itself. Its’ earlier self that is!

The recording as a whole seems to sound more live and raw that the original release. The percussion in ‘You’re Too Young’ speaks that in volumes. But there are also more notable differences. ‘Sunday I’ll Be Gone’ has gone from acoustic beauty to full on Vast rock. And that is the beauty of Jon Crosby; that he can produce the same song more than once and have you conflicted as to which version you prefer. But the joy of that is that you usually conclude that you are just so happy to have the choice. A lot of bands will spend time releasing singles that have dance remix versions of their songs – which usually all sound pretty awful. Not a bit of it here. The music very much has both of its feet on the ground.

Compared with previous albums then April is perhaps not quite as cutting. There is much softer and acoustic work going on than what you usually find on a Vast album. Crosby has perhaps felt the need to keep things calm for a while and emote for a bit. The song-writing itself remains just as pretty as it ever has been. The orchestration of the music has its hidden depths that nowadays are expected of the band. So there is not a lazy note in sight. But this is a much more thoughtful Jon Crosby. A Change of pace will keep the band as well as the listeners alert. April by those standards then comes to you fully realised as a vision. And it’s a thought provoking one.