Music for People released

After Visual Audio Sensory Theater , Elektra pressured Crosby to go back to the drawing board and craft an album that was accessible to more listeners, but still retaining the distinct sound of the last album. After two years of recording, VAST returned with 2000’s Music for People . The album featured a more rock-oriented sound, and benefited from major-label funding by allowing Crosby to work with the New Bombay Recording Orchestra in India. Turmoil was abundant during the album’s recording and rehearsal process as Crosby constantly fought with record executives over the music’s direction and former backup guitarist Rowan Robertson wishing to leave VAST to begin his own solo career. By the end of the album’s recording process, Robertson had left VAST, and Crosby reluctantly moved forward with the band. Music for People provided the band with MTV airplay through their lead single “Free”‘s music video, with the single charting on the Billboard ‘ s Hot 100 , and hitting No. 2 on the Modern Rock Tracks. The band became a relative success after Music for People , but the album’s poor sales and lack of a second charting single led to tension between Elektra and Crosby. In late 2002, Elektra terminated VAST’s contract.