Silent Nation

Artist: Asia
Label: Inside Out U.S.
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 693723608426
EAN: 0693723608426
ASIN: B00029CYGM

Release Date: 2004-08-31

Silent Nation

Related Categories:

General

| Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock

| Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock

| Pop | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR)

| Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Arena Rock

| Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Tracks:

The Prophet
Long Way From Home
Midnight
Blue Moon Monday
Silent Nation
Ghost in the Mirror
Gone Too Far
I Will Be There For You
Darkness Day

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Album Description

Once in a long while, a musical synergy erupts that leaves a mark for generations. Asia's initial incarnation pooled together the considerable talents of past members of such legendary groups as Yes, King Crimson, Roxy Music, Uriah Heep and EL&P. After 7 studio albums, and 4 greatest hits compilations, Asia released Aura in February 2001. This album produced what a great number of fans have called the most creative Asia record ever, and garnered some of the finest reviews the band has ever received. Silent Nation, a deliberate return to the rock roots from which Asia was born, is the 2004 follow up to Aura. With solid rock tracks like Ghost In The Mirror and What About Love, Silent Nation is poised to bring Asia's distinctive brand of music back to the masses. Silent Nation also heralds the first album released under Asia's new record label, Inside Out Music.

Customer Reviews:

Welcome Back.......2007-01-12

This album marks the return of the classic Asia rock sound, with some modern adaptations. What I love about this CD is the number of rock songs and guitar solos, and the fact that it is not as synth-dominated as past efforts. A few dud songs run way too long and thus it clutters up the CD, but three tracks in particular "Long Way From Home," 'Ghost in the Mirror" and "I Will be There For You" make this effort better than anything this band has done in awhile based on the sheer quality of the songs. As with all Asia albums, the production is outstanding as well. And though Payne is not the world's best vocalist, few can match his passion and intensity. Pick this one up cause it is worth it.

Good Solid Rocker.......2007-01-08

If you buy this expecting the original 1982 version of Asia (Wetton, Downes, Palmer and Howe), you will be disappointed. If you block that incarnation of this band out of your mind, and sit back and enjoy this album for what it is, you will find a good solid rock album. In fact, upon hearing this you would almost believe that this came out in the late 80's as opposed to 2004. That said, there are good tunes here: What About Love, Long Way From Home are probably the best two. You will definitely enjoy Geoff Downes contributions here on keyboards, and John Payne provides pretty good vocals. Guthrie Govan and Chris Slade do a solid job as well. Manage your expectations, and just sit back and enjoy a good solid rock album.

I am shocked at the lack of appreciation for this album.......2006-08-08

Silent Nation, the first album in Asia's discography whose title doesn't start and end with an "A", also marks in many ways a great turn in their career. It is quite shocking how severely this album has been criticised by their fan base, most of whom are still complaining about the departure of Wetton some twenty years ago. The band has been releasing albums with John Payne since the early 90's, but some simply couldn't deal with it and continue to bash the band for their lineup rather than musical output. That is very sad indeed, considering Silent Nation is easily one of the strongest Asia albums, ever.

I will admit that Asia will never recapture the sound on their first three discs without the original members, but one must be crazy to deny that some of their work with Payne in the 90's has been consistent through and through. Silent Nation is without doubt the darkest and most unique album in their catalog. Geoff Downes, the only original member, may be displaying his most linear synth playing in the band yet, opting for more direct yet also arresting tones. The music is no where near the symphonic pop rock once it was; on the contrary, almost all the songs are built on Payne's rich voice and Downess' textured playing. Their songwriting still recalls the band's 80's pop rock anthems with huge choruses and memorable melodies. Songs like the finely arranged "What About Love" and the strongly melodic "Long Way from Home" are chock full of beautiful synth and piano melodies, deeply moving vocal harmonies, and some crunchy guitar accents.

New guitarist Guthrie Govan is a welcome addition to the lineup, as he supplies incredible guitar work that was noticably missing on their previous release. Besides playing indelible solos, he also brings a great melodic sensibility and mirage-like guitars that are planted beneath Downess' first-class synth patches. The absolutely smashing ballad "Blue Moon Monday" would become an instant hit if there was any justice in the music business, as it ranks up right there with their best songs ever. Despite the composition seeming very planned out, Payne's nuanced and expressive singing (which I am sure must have influenced the likes of Jorn Lande a great deal) demands full attention. Surrounded by varied synth sounds and rising organs, the chorus of this track is simply stunning in its effect. After a stubborn bass line and sparse key strokes, everything cuts out for a mini-second creating utter silence, only to erupt into husky melodious singing and then a sweet acoustic passage with folky synths backing everything up.

More on the guitar front, "Gone Too Far", a song that also stands out for its socially conscious lyrical message, sees guitarist Govan playing two solos, the first one being relatively short yet totally addictive and the second one being the masterwork of the album with its massive build-up into a terrific climax. Also worth checking out is Govan's versatile playing on the moody title track, complete with gentle acoustic guitars, panoramic synths, and excellent vocals. The guitar work here eerily lends itself to Latin-inflected eclectism, but it's quite subtle being neatly hidden under Downess' keyboard effects.

More variety is brought in with the cool organs and almost spacey Middle Eastern elements of "Midnight"; the slightly subpar 80's pop of "Ghost in the Mirror"; the upbeat rocker of "I Will Be There for You"; and the great marriage of modern soundscapes and Monk-like chant vocals with some Latin lyrics of "Darkness Day", easily the bravest song Asia have written. The album ends on a powerful note with "The Prophet", which, with its obsessive drum cadence and wailing organs, and Payne's deep voice, fades into pure white noise after a repeated guitar theme soars on and on forever. It is very beautiful.

The special edition of the album album contains enhanced booklet, extra pictures, and a DVD which features the making of the album. It seems the original lineup is finally back together for their 25th anniversary, so vocalist John Payne is now out. You must check out his new GPS project with this album's guitarist Guthrie Govan and Spock's Beard's key wizard Ryo Okumoto. It has a more progressive vibe to it with cool jam-like sessions and super-experimental synth elements.

Vapid and Sad........2006-08-04

I compare this to the early stuff and it sounds like Miami Vice TV sound track leftovers. The singing is just so overdone and the lyrics are dated and dare I say it, CORNY. One man is not a band. I really wanted to like this album. Darn....

Buy it for the guitar solos!.......2006-06-09

Aisa's latest effort, "Silent Nation" (2004), is an interesting album. The new line-up includes veteran Geoff Downes (only original member) on keys, John Payne - lead and bass, Guthrie Govan - guitar, and Chris Slade - drums (former Manfred Mann & AC/DC drummer).

"Silent Nation" is a very dark album. Many of the themes center around Mother Earth, government control, and "the end of days." The lyrics are very vague and the melodies repetitive. The album is much less synth driven and more guitar centered. Geoff Downes resorts to 1970's key sounds and truly plays a secondary role.

This album, however, has the closest sound to their debut album that they've had since John Payne came into the group (1992). The track "Midnight" has a very Yes-like sound, delving into mixed meter and scale-type riffs. "Ghost in the Mirror" is classic Asia - upbeat, with full vocals and great fills. My favorites are "Long Way From Home" and "I Will Be There For You." Both of these tunes have a great melody and a driving beat that keeps the listener intrigued.

The best thing about this album is Guthrie Govan's guitar solos. Rock is an outgrowth of jazz, which the primary focus is allowing a creative outlet for solos. So much of today's pop has all but excluded this heritage. This album has two of the best solos I've ever heard. In the tracks "I Will Be There For You" and "Gone Too Far" Govan takes the simple melodic motives from the vocals and develops them. He starts out simple, then gradually adds more and more things as his solo progresses. His technique involves everything from hammers, scales, arpeggios, and patterns and augment the original melody. His facility and inventiveness is incredible. If Steve Howe could be replaced, Govan would be the man.

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