Hopefully you have a Best Buy somewhere around... I hear they had it for $11.99... Although I got it at Barnes and Noble for $14.99.. Also, in the future, VAST should appear on Conan O'Brien and Last Call With Carson Daly in the future, from what I've read (but I'm not sure when). I said he was dropped from Elektra, but I think he wanted to be, so that he could have fans hear his albums and by even downloading (two download-only albums for a total of $6 are availible still, which were demos for this album. A total of 8 songs did not make the final cut).
Well, I've heard the whole thing, and I think I could at least say some stuff about what's in the 12 songs, although I'm trying not to say that it's the best thing ever, but there are some things worthy of being mentioned..
It sounds like a mix of the two albums at first, but then later you realize that it's not like that.
I don't think I've ever heard a song with Jon sounding as forceful as "Turquoise", which makes it memorable. Also, the progression of guitars is as interesting as Froggatt's bass that can be heard in the verses.
It's been suggested that "Thrown Away" will be the first single from the album, and it's pretty fitting, since it's the most accessible thing on the album.. Although the intro chant is strange, the chorus chant could easily fit into a U2 song or something.
"Don't Take Your Love Away" is almost five minutes long. It's a ballad which mainly has a lot of orchestra and keyboard use.
"Lost" is the only track here mixed by Crosby (and only one not done by person who does that with other 11 tracks), and sounds like a trippy, quasi-chill song, except for the part that comes eventually with the electric guitar. Also, it features an alto sax.
"Winter In My Heart" sounds a lot like "Clocks" by Coldplay on the keyboard part, but darker and slower. However, that doesn't make a song sound like another, because when you listen to "Be With Me", it ends with a bass like the intro of "Mudshovel" by Staind but dosen't sound at all like it.
That instrument tends to stand out in most of the tracks, and listening to "Ecstasy" will show how.
Everything on "I Need To Say Goodbye", "Japanese Fantasy", and "I Can't Say No (To You)" was done by Jon, except the end piece on "Goodbye", and drums on "No"
"Desert Garden" almost sounds like a mix of Wilco and Dashboard Confessional, but of course he's also got his original style, so it's completely different from anything he's done. This track is stripped down, and towards the end of the album, could be viewed by some as his "Hurt".
Oh, however, I will say that Crosby is a terrific producer, at least I feel. To me, the hi-fi sound makes it seem like it was recorded later than it actually was. It is probably the most experimential release, and the first two are better for starters, but if you're a fan, pick it up and you won't be dissapointed.
And last of all, his web site is really awesome:
www.realvast.com
