Aria: Asia: Amazon.co.uk: Music

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1. Anytime

2. Are You Big Enough?

3. Desire

4. Summer

5. Sad Situation

6. Don't Cut The Wire (Brother)

7. Feels Like Love

8. Remembrance Day

9. Enough's Enough

10. Military Man

11. Aria

12. Reality

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4.0 out of 5 stars (1 customer review)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The rock album., 25 Nov 2002

By

Dr Nick "Dr Nick" (Sheffield, S Yorks United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)

This review is from: Aria (Audio CD)

Aria was the second release Asia recorded with John Payne at the helm. The first, Aqua, was (IMHO) a bit disjointed, although it does have some good material on it.
Aria is a more coherent package, possibly in part because it's the ONLY Payne era release to enjoy the same musicians right through the recording!
We all know how good Geoff Downes is on the keys, and he doesn't disappoint (love the fancy bit on Desire). The vocals are full, much fuller than John Wetton can manage, and boast a hefty dose of diaphragm (something JW rarely employs).
The drums are also well played, probably my favourite example of Michael Sturgis' drumming (not so keen on his performance on subsequent recordings Arena and Aura, although the albums themselves aren't bad at all and he's not the only drummer).
And Al Pitrelli is (IMHO) a world class guitarist, who was wasted on Aqua, and is given more of an opportunity to shine on this album. He gets several solo's, all of which are stunningly well played. Some might say they're are simply examples of rock cliches, and I suppose I can hear why - but he plays them SO well that who cares!!! The lead breaks on Desire, Summer and especially Don't Cut The Wire are superb. Just wish he'd turn the octaver off. And they fade him out a bit too soon on occasion.

The songs themselves are blessed with good solid and generally memorable choruses, and there are enough "proggy" bits to keep fans of that genre interested. The bonus track is a good 'un too. And the outro to Don't Cut The Wire is genius.

One of the best Asia albums, along with Asia, Alpha and Aura.

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Amazon.com: 3.6 out of 5 stars (27 customer reviews)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable album., 5 Aug 2000

By sauerkraut - Published on Amazon.com

This review is from: Aria (Audio CD)

Aria is a good album from Asia. I find it to be respectable, melodious, and solid. Everyone of the songs are listenable and cohesive. The musicianship, songwriting, and production are tight. Geoff Downes does a nice job with the keyboard playing. The keyboards really do add a nice atmospheric quality to the tunes. John Payne is also a likeable vocalist, and Al Pitrelli does well with the guitar duties. The album is in a straight-ahead pop rock direction and is quite catchy. The songs that I like the most are "Anytime," "Enough's Enough," and "Sad Situation." I have always considered Aria to be a decent and enjoyable album from Asia. Roger Dean's album cover is also pretty nice. Aria is worth a listen.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A disappointing Album, 7 Sep 2010

By Jim Kelsey - Published on Amazon.com

This review is from: Aria (Audio CD)

As an Asia fan and owner of all of their studio albums, I found "Aria" to be a big disappointment. I've always found their melodies catchy and their technical skill in the past has always impressed me. Aria did not shine in that either of those areas, nor lyrically. It's the basic late-eighties, long-hair rock.

Their first track "Anytime" is their best. The verse begins in a minor key, jumps to a new key in the channel, and a new key for the chorus. The melody is typical Asia fare. "Remembrance Day" isn't a bad tune, but doesn't develop lyrically. It's almost as if Asia wants to make a statement without defending their position. Songs like "Don't Cut the Wire" "Military Man," & "Desire" do not add anything to the album lyrically; musically "Desire" has a great guitar solo, one of the few that the artist develops on the album.

If you're a fan of the original Asia line-up, you'll miss Steve Howe's lightning scales and arpeggios and Carl Palmer's ghost tones. If you're wanting to try the new lineup with John Payne, try "Aqua" and "Aura." The last Payne album, "Silent Nation," has some winning moments (the guitar work is especially good), but is more on the "Arena/Aria" vain.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE MOST UNDERRATED ALBUM OF 1994, 3 Jan 2002

By D. R. Quintana - Published on Amazon.com

This review is from: Aria (Audio CD)

This is definitely one of the best CD's of the 90's. Rock solid performances, metal like jams, and more importantly, some fantasically written songs! This CD burned in my player for months on end. There are some outrageous and genuinely original guitar riffs from Al Pitelli and dramatic vocalization from John Payne. Their mix with Geoffrey Downes sets the pace for the market. It wasn't the bands fault that the lable dropped the guys market potential in the U.S. You WILL NOT regret it if you purchased this CD, and its a must have for any ASIA/YES fan!

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 27 reviews 3.6 out of 5 stars

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