- Audio CD (24 May 2004)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Snapper Classics
- ASIN: B00020QYVM
- Other Editions: Audio CD | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 515,263 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Asia's third studio effort with John Payne on vocals and bass is perhaps their first attempt to do something a little different with mixed results.
Payne and Geoff Downes are outstanding throughout and there are several tracks on here which compare well with their finest works. Title track 'Arena' mixes pop/rock with salsa and the band manage to pull this off superbly. 'Heaven' is fairly typical Asia fare with the usual catchy chorus, 'Two Sides Of The Moon' is an excellent track which mixes pop, hard rock and even reggae, complete once again with catchy chorus. 'The Day Before The War' is classic Asia, reminiscent of older epics like 'Wildest Dreams' and 'After The War' and 'U Bring Me Down' is a sublime blend of Prog and Eastern influences.
What lets the album down however in my opinion is a poor production, two poor instrumental tracks (not for the first time-see 'Aqua') and some basically crappy, in one ear, out the other tracks like 'Words', 'Never' and 'Falling'. What is most notable though is that despite the presence of two superb guitarists, Steely Dan's Elliot Randall and Simply Red's Aziz Ibrahim, there is no real axe wielding presence on the album. Neither guitar player really grabs the songs by the balls and asserts themselves like Steve Howe, Al Pitrelli and most recently, Guthrie Govan have done on other records.
All things aside though, 'Arena' is worth a try and full marks to the band for attempting something a bit less predictable.
Payne and Geoff Downes are outstanding throughout and there are several tracks on here which compare well with their finest works. Title track 'Arena' mixes pop/rock with salsa and the band manage to pull this off superbly. 'Heaven' is fairly typical Asia fare with the usual catchy chorus, 'Two Sides Of The Moon' is an excellent track which mixes pop, hard rock and even reggae, complete once again with catchy chorus. 'The Day Before The War' is classic Asia, reminiscent of older epics like 'Wildest Dreams' and 'After The War' and 'U Bring Me Down' is a sublime blend of Prog and Eastern influences.
What lets the album down however in my opinion is a poor production, two poor instrumental tracks (not for the first time-see 'Aqua') and some basically crappy, in one ear, out the other tracks like 'Words', 'Never' and 'Falling'. What is most notable though is that despite the presence of two superb guitarists, Steely Dan's Elliot Randall and Simply Red's Aziz Ibrahim, there is no real axe wielding presence on the album. Neither guitar player really grabs the songs by the balls and asserts themselves like Steve Howe, Al Pitrelli and most recently, Guthrie Govan have done on other records.
All things aside though, 'Arena' is worth a try and full marks to the band for attempting something a bit less predictable.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I suppose it depends on what your after. Although I have a soft spot for Wetton, Carl Palmer had a lumpen way with the drumstick that left all the jolly tunes (that were mostly penned by Wetton & Downes) trudging along with an elephantine gait. As for Steve Howe - fine guitarist though he is, I never felt was comfortable handling the stadium belters. Ironically I think Trevor Rabin who replaced Howe in Yes would have been a better fit. Anyway my point here is that the core line up here is far more capable and comfortable with the mega prog lite AOR type songs on display. John Payne has a better range that Wetton - some might say more emotive, which is no bad thing if you are dealing in stadium sized choruses. Therein lies the rub - by this time this album appeared fashion had passed Asia by. Although the songs reached for the stars, the crowds had also disappeared into the ether and the band were left playing Croyden Country Club on a wet Wednesday night to four blokes and a dog at the bar (em... the blokes were at the bar - with the dog.) How epic can you be if the crowd gets introduced to the band.
Nevertheless that fact alone does not in any way diminish the quality of the sounds on offer - of a time - but they do have a majesty to them which renders them timeless. Memories of poorly attended gigs will fade and as the music is left hopefully more people will appreciate its worth. I have no time for the "its not the originals" argument -clean your ears out get a life - if you don't like it move on and stop carping. Its not big and its not clever - this is a fine album/CD/LP/78/wax cylinder.
I commend this CD to the house.
Nevertheless that fact alone does not in any way diminish the quality of the sounds on offer - of a time - but they do have a majesty to them which renders them timeless. Memories of poorly attended gigs will fade and as the music is left hopefully more people will appreciate its worth. I have no time for the "its not the originals" argument -clean your ears out get a life - if you don't like it move on and stop carping. Its not big and its not clever - this is a fine album/CD/LP/78/wax cylinder.
I commend this CD to the house.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I am not sure what the special edition gives you over the original album apart from one bonus track and an acoustic version but it is a truly memorable and exciting album. From the first few notes it takes you on a journey of some of the Wetton-less Asia's best tracks. Into the Arena is an instrumental which is absolutly brilliant and then into the Arena. There isnt a bad track on the album and if you have enjoyed previous Asia tracks this is highly recommended. If you are unfamiliar with Asia music then this is a good album to start with. Their sound is a slightly more rocky Tears for Fears.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Asia's worst
Be warned !
Asia is my fav group, having bought all their albums, this is not only their worst, but one of the worst albums ever. Read more
Asia is my fav group, having bought all their albums, this is not only their worst, but one of the worst albums ever. Read more
Published on 17 Nov 2009 by djah
Asia go latino.
Asia with John Payne on vocals is a very different animal to the '80's supergroup it started out as. Read more
Published on 14 July 2004 by Dr Nick
Asia go latino.
Asia with John Payne on vocals is a different animal to the '80's supergroup it started out as. Geoff Downes' keys are as prominent as ever, but Payne has a more raw voice and more... Read more
Published on 20 Oct 2002 by Dr Nick
phenomenal
this is Asia's most mature work so far. It fuses the 80's melodic rock feel with a hint of Santana here and there. People who like bands like Toto or Foreigner will love this. Read more
Published on 2 Feb 2001
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