Aqua

Artist: Asia
Label: Inside Out Germany
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Format: Limited Edition
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 693723409924
EAN: 0693723409924
ASIN: B0009LNRM8

Release Date: 2005-06-16

Aqua

Related Categories:

General

| Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock

| Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR)

| Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Arena Rock

| Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Aqua Part One
Who Will Stop The Rain?
Back In Town
Love Under Fire
Someday
Little Rich Boy
Voice Of Reason
Lay Down Your Arms
Crime Of The Heart
A Far Cry
Don't Call Me
Heaven On Earth
Aqua Part Two
Obsession (Bonus Track)
Little Rich Boy (Bonus Track)
Love Under Fire (Bonus Track)

Similar Items:

Arena
Aria
Archiva, Vol. 1/Archiva, Vol. 2
Aura
Anthology

Customer Reviews:

Who Will Stop The Payne?.......2005-07-13

This was the first full length studio Asia album with John Payne(replacing John Wetton who left for a solo career) and the first without their original record label Geffen, who had promoted the original band. This album just kinda came out without any major fanfare with a new unknown singer and and on a new indepentant label. When I bought it, man was I shocked.

It still had the spacey album cover, though by artist Rodney mathews instead of Roger Dean. It retained both Carl Palmer and a returning Steve Howe, although both were 'guest musicians' in thier own band. Howe would share guitar duties- something he's loathed to do- with new guitarist Al Pitrelli. In fact he would handle most of the acoustic side of the proceedings. Lots of outside songwriters in the credits told me that some of these songs were written for other projects. And new singer John Payne. He was younger, and his voice more operatic, hard-edged and better suited for heavy metal than for Yes or ELP. He wore black, he had a black top hat with feathers on it reminding me of Slash from Guns & Roses. He sang with a lot of soul and confidence, but sounded nothing like his predicessor. He had committed the crime of being different. And the difference between the two Johns were night and day. New 'regular' guitarist Al Pitrelli more of a hard rock squealer than Steve Howe, giving the music more edge. Even the image of the band had changed. This was not the MTV Asia, this was something new. The album even had a slight concept- an ecological theme.

The music? Aqua serves as a transitional album for Asia. Half has one foot in the original sound, supplying continuity with having three of the original band on hand and the other foot in the 90's where last member Geoff Downes would continue the band under a shared vision with new writing partner Payne who would grow musically from Aqua onward. The hard rock side of the band is well explored here, and the harmony choruses are even upped a notched. Songs are catchy and rock, but some are even heavy in the emotion department. Aqua is Asia amplified. On this cd, the band also explore some of their progressive roots with lush electronic synths from Mr. Downes and some tasteful classical acoustic interludes from Mr. Howe. The title track would not sound out of place on a Yes album. Strange how Steve Howe was only retained to supply the acoustic, steel and 12 string guitar.

On the tour, people were puzzled. At the show I saw, it seemed that a lot of folks didn't even know that John Wetton was gone, and so was Carl Palmer who had reformed ELP that year. Steve Howe remained as a 'special guest' only appearing halfway through the set to enhance a 5-man Asia. But Payne. People didn't understand. They were yelling 'LOSE THE HAT' and 'Play something that doesn't suck'. It wasn't until Asia disappeared from touring the US until some 9 years later that Payne was accepted. In between, Asia would release six more studio offerings and by then he had more than proven that he was a powerful singer, fine writer and solid musician. But in 1992, it was a learning experience for the band and its fans.

AQUA 1 - Steve's classical guitar over Geoff's synth backing.

WHO WILL STOP THE RAIN - classy and powerful single, should have been a big hit. Remains in the live set to this day.

BACK IN TOWN - in a hard rock vein, with some country twangin' from Howe. A far cry from Sole Survivor.

LOVE UNDER FIRE - written with Greg Lake. The first of a few melodic ballads, this one with nice keys.

SOMEDAY - a powerful rocker with fine keyboards.

LITTLE RICH BOY - left off of the 1992 US version, probably because it's a simpler rocker and the suits didn't think it fit in with the rest of the album.

VOICE OF REASON - tasty instrumentation here. The first half is a thoughtful ballas with folky leanings featuring Howe's steel guitar and acoustic playing. Drums and synths come in later and finish it off in symphonic rock fashion.

LAY DOWN YOUR ARMS - bouncey anthem which made it onto the soundtrack to an animated movie about Freddie the Frog, who was a spy. Much to the band's dismay, I may add.

CRIME OF THE HEART - into the arena ballad territory, would have been a great song for a soundtrack.

A FAR CRY - powerful vocals, great track with a lot of punch.

DON'T CALL ME - another similar track.

HEAVEN ON EARTH - atmospheric middle section and vocals that grabs by the sack and shakes vigourously.

AQUA part 2 - ends with an electronic Geoff Downes bit.

This remastered version also contains the two live cuts from the LITTLE RICH BOY single and the B-side OBSESSION.

Music Album:

Music Album

Music Album

Music CD

The Thing to Do ~ Blue Mitchell

Original Memphis Five ~ Various Artists

Footprints ~ April Aloisio

There They Go ~ Harry James

Blue John ~ Big John Patton

Ballad of Sad Young Man ~ European Jazz Trio, Art Farmer

Cancoes Que a Vida Escreveu ~ Padre Zezinho

Frenzy ~ Gospellers

Live Session at Trama Studios ~ Wilson Simoninha

Essencial De ~ Gilberto Gil