Comments for Asia, Aria

While I will agree that this album is similar to Aqua, I must say that this album is probably my overall favorite by Asia. I especially like the harmonies that Payne and the others can create on songs such as "Rememberance Day" and "Desire." Personally, though, "Don't Cut the Wire (Brother)" is the best song. However, this is not a 1 or 2 good song album. This is one that can be listened to straight through, without having to skip certain songs.

I perfectly agree that ARIA is a sequel to AQUA. I don't think that it can be better than its predecessor, though. Not that AQUA is a so excellent album, but I can see that while it is still some'Howe' reminiscent of the 'golden times', here the group has moved definitely towards J. Payne's style whereas musically I feel much closer to Geoff Downes and the original lineup. Maybe 'Don't cut the wire (brother)' is really the best song, along with 'Anytime', 'Are you big enough ?' and 'Aria'. GUG

Not good, not bad, still a bit overproduced and a bit like a 'symphonic TOTO', but I can live with this one better than 'Then and Now'. After all, my tip for the best post- Wetton Asia-album is the lately released 'Arena'.

-- ASIA ARIA THIS album kicks ass. Had they a US deal in '94 this record would have brought them back. BIG ENOUGH, REMEMBRANCE DAY, ANYTIME @ MILITARY MAN all kick bottom. This sounds nothing like any TOTO. ARIA shits on AQUA as it has direction and rocks all the way through after a couple mellow songs. But great as this album is, unfortunately it's history. A US record deal and singles released in order of ANYTIME, SAD SITUATION @ REMEMBRANCE DAY would have got them on the radio again in a big way. Let it be known ARIA was their comeback shot, with the small momentum aqua started to build. Now ASIA in the US is ..... ASIA? a rock group? Really? This album rules.

I feel that this album was considerably weaker than AQUA, and I think it rates just above the horrific "Then and Now." I care for aonly a few tunes, like "Sad Situation" and Remembrance Day," but that is about as far as goe. I'd take this album over anything that's being produced today in music, but it is a "Far Cry" if I may pun from what ASIA has done before. Downes is almost invisible, and the tunes are carried by the amply talented but misplaced Al Pitrelli, of Huntington, Long Island. I give it an "eh."

I agree that Geoff Downes is not at his best. This is a sequal to Auqa, but it lacks the melodic layered keyboards of Geoff Downes in Aqua. Nothing much stands out, however, Jon Payne's voice saves the album from oblivion with excellent tracks like Enough's Enough. I absolutly hate DESIRE and the poor, even sad closing song. Downes is disapointing. The drums have a hidious sound. The guitars are harder and are good, but Howe is missed. Payne is the album. Aria is not Aqua. Not bad, but disapointing. Asia was almost rivalling YES and there more progressive releases. However, Aria barely steps on to the playing field.

I'm from Asia (indonesia). I think Asia was over. Better use a new name like 'Downes/Payne' or 'Africa'. I think Aria is better than Aqua. The songs are OK. I like them, but still it's not Asia. For Asia fans, try John Wetton's 'Battle Lines/Voice Mail'. Wetton is the soul of Asia (especially his voice). By the way, I couldn't find aurora, arena and america in Indonesia

Glenn M. :) iwanarif@rad.net.id I''m from Asia (indonesia). I think Asia was over. Better use a new name like ''Downes/Payne'' or ''Africa''. I think Aria is better than Aqua. The songs are OK. I like them, but still it''s not Asia. For Asia fans, try John Wetton''s ''Battle Lines/Voice Mail''. Wetton is the soul of Asia (especially his voice). By the way, I couldn''t find aurora, arena and america in Indonesia

This album should have been called Aqua Part III (withDownes Vox Humana being Part II). Much the same asAqua, but a little more consistent. There are songs onAqua which I really like, some I hate. Most of thesesongs are pretty blah ... nothing stands out, but nothing reallyhorrendous.