Music review: Asia – 鈥楪ravitas鈥�
In 1982, Asia鈥檚 debut album was released and went on to become the best-selling album of the year. Fueled by mega-hits like 鈥淗eat of the Moment,鈥� 鈥淥nly Time Will Tell鈥� and 鈥淪ole Survivor,鈥� the supergroup鈥檚 sound quickly transformed me into a huge fan.
Thirty-two years later, the progressive rock band offers a new collection of arrangements possessing Asia鈥檚 trademark sound. 鈥淕ravitas鈥� is the follow-up to 鈥淴XX,鈥� the band鈥檚 comeback release commemorating Asia鈥檚 30th anniversary.
Over the years, the band has experienced several lineup changes. Most recently, Steve Howe left to reunite with Yes and pursue side projects, leaving original members John Wetton, Carl Palmer and Geoff Downes to find a new guitarist.
The highly recommended Sam Coulson makes a seamless transition as the band鈥檚 latest addition. The 27-year-old guitar whiz instantly infuses a guitar-driven texture displayed on numbers like 鈥淣yctophobia鈥� and 鈥淗eaven Help Me Now.鈥� All the new material was written and produced by Wetton and Downes.
As a result of the duo鈥檚 meticulous attention to detail, the album possesses a fresh energy and focused purpose.
The title track radiates a nostalgic vibe through its haunting harmonies, soaring keyboard textures and poignant lyrics about a failing relationship.
鈥淰alkyrie,鈥� inspired from Norse mythology, opens the album with Wetton鈥檚 voice still sounding as majestic as ever.
The stirring 鈥淚 Would Die for You鈥� contains traces of the older classics 鈥淒on鈥檛 Cry鈥� and 鈥淗ere Comes the Feeling.鈥�
The album closes with the passionate 鈥淭ill We Meet Again,鈥� once again serving as a reminder of the glory days when songs like 鈥淭he Smile Has Left Your Eyes鈥� and 鈥淕o鈥� ruled radio. As expected on any Asia album, the musicianship is magnificent and the writing wondrous, making the band鈥檚 14th studio release another richly layered gem.
Following a longstanding tradition, the intoxicating art of Roger Dean is prominently showcased on the album cover.
If the artwork style looks familiar, Dean鈥檚 art has also regularly appeared on covers for bands such as Yes and Uriah Heep.