Asia - Aria (1994) [2012, Sony Music Japan, SICP 20418]

ARIA is the second album from the 'new' Asia with John Payne on lead vocals. Released during the spring of 1994, Aria expands a bit on the direction they started on the previous album, 1992's AQUA: harder edged guitars, powerful anthemic choruses, symphonic keyboards. But this is a new Asia, one a bit removed from their MTV heyday and one in which not everyone fully accepted at the time. It came out at a time when grunge was killing off anything reeking of melodic hard rock, wrong album for the wrong time. But Asia are what they are, and so a melodic hard rock album it was. And unashamedly so- ARIA is a bit of a throwback in that regards, and would have been a hit back in more rock-friendly times.

This second release from the new John Payne-era Asia suffers from the 'sophomore' syndrome and is an underestimated release. When I first bought it, I was shocked that Geoff Downes had some new band and was calling it Asia. The band photos had them all decked out in leather and heavy metal attire. Even Downes was sporting longer hair and some rock-n-roll duds. One's first reaction may have been 'is this an L.A. hair metal band?'. Some of the music may also lead you to that thought. However, once past these elements, the music actually grows on you and these days I find ARIA a rewarding listen. With ARIA, the emphasis this time is on the new songwriting team of Downes/Payne and the vocals. With his position as lead vocalist/bassist/co-writer secured, John Payne was keen to place his personal stamp on the band rather than be seen as 'that Wetton replacement guy'. Therefore, there is a strong emphasis on the vocals. Again, he sings with a lot of power and soul, and the vocal harmony choruses are of the sing-along at the top of your lungs in the car variety. Almost operatic in delivery. Payne scores points for being himself and not trying to be John Wetton, respecting Asia's past while bringing something new to the table. This is why he's deserved our respect by now and why he's still in the band.

Right off the bat you'll notice a couple things before even diving into the music: One is that the album cover is a Roger Dean fantasy painting, like the covers he's done for Asia and Yes in the past. That's a plus. Then there is the band itself. While AQUA had an expanded roster of both old and new members, plus several outside writing credits, ARIA's Asia is again a four-man outfit, and as for the writing, Geoff Downes has formed a writing partnership with Payne, as he had with John Wetton in the earlier days. In 1992, AQUA at least had some stamp of authenticity in that former members Steve Howe and Carl Palmer were at least guest starring in their own band, and Howe even toured with them as well. But gazing over the credits for ARIA, the stark reality is that keyboardist Geoff Downes is the only original member left. Downes and John Payne are joined again by guitarist Al Pitrelli and drummer Michael Sturgis, both of which appeared on AQUA. 1994's version of Asia however was a well fleshed-out rock band, more in tune with the original Asia's concept of a four-member English rock band.

Getting past the line-up, the album cover and the band's 'legacy' of one of the first supergroups of the 80's, there is still the music to contend with. Despite some hard rock posturing, Asia elements are still in place- the anthemic choruses, the large production sound, the cinematic synthesizers blending with heavy guitars. Geoff Downes is still omnipresent with washes of electronic and orchestral keyboards, expressive piano and a touch of gritty organ. I beleve there was also a loose theme to the album, making it somewhat of a concept album. The concept being that each track represents a stage in one man's life(growing up, falling in love, going to war, etc.) Of course each song could stand on its own, and the 'concept' if there was one is well hidden. At the time I didn't appreciate this record because there was little left of the original Asia. Now I find there was more than I realized. The trax:

ANYTIME - a slow ominous droning intro gives way to a strong anthem with driving guitars and soaring vocals. This remastered edition also features the promo video.

ARE YOU BIG ENOUGH - into some standard rock territory here, not dissimilar from 'Little Rich Boy' or 'Back In Town' from AQUA.

Never an essential track, but not bad.

DESIRE - a song about lust which conveys an atmosphere of sexual desire without using the usual cliches. More about the feeling than the act itself, Payne's vocals erupt emotion, and Downes' symphonic keyboards give it a serious and elegant vibe. One of the best tracks from the 90's Asia.

SUMMER - more Steely Dan that Yes, strong vocal harmonies propel this shimmering ballad. Again, Payne shines.

SAD SITUATION - a live favorite, with slow verses and punchier chorus.

DON'T CUT THE WIRE(Brother) - a harder edged song about a wayward soul, this one is might be the weakest track here, but still well executed.

FEELS LIKE LOVE - oddly structured ballad with a long synth/vocal intro. The drums don't come in till later. This could have been a more traditional ballad, but the way it was arranged made it less accessable, but still strong.

REMEMBERANCE DAY - no Asia album would be complete without an anti-war song, and ARIA delivers with this hard rocker.

ENOUGH'S ENOUGH - here's where Payne's operatic vocals come back into the fore, and the production has him all echoing around.

MILITARY MAN - this powerful anthem is one of ARIA's highlights and is often still performed by the band today. This reissue also contains an acoustic rendition recorded live at Washington DC's XM Studios in 2003.

ARIA - the title track is a short reprise of the 'Desire' theme, which captures Geoff at his most symphonic.

REALITY - added B-side which sounds more in place on Geoff's 1992 solo album VOX HUMANA, featuring more warm sounding synths.

ARIA deserves a re-evaluation in the ASIA catalogue. You may find, some eleven years later, that the songs were well crafted and emotional and that the album itself is actually one of the most cohesive ones they have.

By Jason M. Carzon