Amerikaanse cd review Vast Countenance

Photo: newclassicmusicfortomorrow

The Vast Countenance is a very pop oriented band, with Beatlesque guitar melodies and light airy harmony vocals. Capturing sounds of music that carries the trouble of the world away as you listen to them. They mix a rock edge to pop sense, with harmonies you could hear on almost any 60′s release. 

The keyboard adds a rolling sound to the band that keeps the music uplifting and joyous. The band really hits its groove when Johan and Nico join vocals on At Your Feet. Johans voice is solid but shines more when duetting. Nico has a very solid vocal that soars and takes the song along with her. Working together they are pure magic.

Fans of more acoustic rock will be quite happy with this CD. Mixing their soft rock with a bit of folk and harmony vocals their music soars from out of the past into the present day. 

The sax softly blowing in the background on These Grey Skies adds interesting twist to a haunting familiar sound. If you could turn the tables on the pop charts today and get rid of the 50Cents/Lady Gaga factory music, you would discover the heart of music is not posturing and flamboyant stage acts. 

No its about the gentle piano sounds that echo in your mind for years and the melodies haunting your memories. Not music you forget about three months after it came out. Musically the band is talented and prove it song after song. 

Johans vocals are like a lot of singers you have to let your ears adjust to them. I have found that over the years I am drawn to voices that are not typical. He reminds me at different times of Jimmy Dale Gilmore without being over the top. 

As the group sound hints of artist like Delaney and Bonnie though there is little if any southern influence in this music. Folk influenced pop rock is what you get in pleasing three and four minute doses. Like little happy pills that you only have to hear to make you feel better.

When I listen to a CD and I only skip one song which I did on this disc I know that the band has staying power, not that they will become rich and famous selling music in todays music market. But if you want to spend your money and be listening to the music in ten years then buy The Vast Countenance-Elephant Child CD.

Bron: newclassicmusicfortomorrow