Customer Reviews

Anthology

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is a curious release. It collects some of the cream of Asia's 1990's material from the trilogy of albums they did between 1992-1996(AQUA,ARIA,& ARENA). It also has two new tracks and a few old classics redone by the new incarnation. Here's the scoop on this 1997 album:

The 90's found keyboardist Geoffrey Downes, the last original member left, reinventing Asia with new vocalist John Payne(ex-ELO). They released three albums between 1992 and 1996: the anthemic and ecological-themed AQUA(1992), the vocal-emphasized and hard-edged arena-rock ARIA(194) and the smoother, retro 'Steely Dan'-type ARENA(1996). If you don't mind hard edged songs with overlayered and powerful vocal harmonies, anthemic chorus, lush synths and melodic lead guitar lines in the classic rock mould, then this Asia is for you. If you were miffed at your favorite 'proggers' forming a 'pop' band back on that first album, or if you're stuck back in 1982 with the original band, tread carefully. Steve Howe and John Wetton are long gone, and the guitar slot seemed to have been open to anyone who Geoff and John Payne fancied at the moment. A lot of harder rock guitarists have come and gone. The image of the band had changed as well. However, the material is rather good and may grow on you. The elements of the original band are there, though they have also grown a bit too. Geoff Downes is still one of the most innovative keyboardists around, who has his own identifyable sound. There are many standout tracks: anthems like WHO WILL STOP THE RAIN, ANYTIME and the live favorite MILITARY MAN are some. The percussion-heavy ARENA and TWO SIDES OF THE MOON and the B-side REALITY are a few more.

Then there are the remakes. In actuality, Asia wanted to release a compilation of songs from all of their albums- the 80's classics plus some current material. However, contractual problems kept them from using the original material from Geffen Records. They went around this by recording a few 'new' versions of the old hits, just with John Payne singing instead of John Wetton. The band know the fans probably would have preferred the originals with the newer stuff, but what can you do. So 1997 versions of HEAT OF THE MOMENT, GO, ONLY TIME WILL TELL, DON'T CRY, and THE HEAT GOES ON appear mixed in with the other material. These are performed ridiculouly note perfect to the original versions, only Payne's voice sounding obviouly different. He even manages to ape Steve Howe's parts pretty well.

There is also two 1997 tracks in a new Asia version of THE HUNTER(originally written for Steve Howe's GTR project from 1987) and another strong anthem, DIFFERENT WORLDS. And as a bonus track you get an atmospheric and slower 'acoustic' version of TIME AGAIN from the 1st Asia album which is just voice, guitar and keyboards, recorded at XM Studios in Washington DC 2003. I was even at that show and forgotten how good it sounded, almost worth the price of this disc alone. New to 90's Asia? This is a good place to begin. Asia collector? Get it for the eight extra tracks not available on any other album. Everyone's a winner. Enjoy.

A decent collection of 16 hits that focuses on the John Payne years. Asia re-recorded "Heat of the Moment" and "Only Time Will Tell" to reflect the sound of their new singer (and for legal reasons). Jeff Downes even dusted off an old track from GTR called "The Hunter". Included as part of the special edition is an acoustic version of "Time Again". However, as good as Payne is, I've always been a Wetton fan.

Anthology was my introduction to 90's Asia, and it won me over just by sheer value for what I got. Think about it...it has every Asia album (up to '97) sampled with a few songs each, plus two new cuts. What's not to like?

As others have mentioned, you do get re-recordings of 80's Asia classics ("Heat of the Moment", "Only Time Will Tell", "Don't Cry", "The Heat Goes On", "Go"), and while some bits of them are good, I still prefer the original recordings. I must say, though, Payne does a superb job with "Go". "The Hunter" is good, but again, I prefer GTR's original. The Asia version is just different. The other new track, "Different Worlds" is fantastic...one of Asia's most haunting and passionate songs, with fantastic lyrics.

The only missteps really are the lack of more tracks from the Arena album, a few typos, and a mis-printed track time for "Aqua Part I", which, by the way, is an edit. (The original had the sounds of rain and thunder at the end.) The CD booklet has small concert photos, and lyrics to all songs.

Musically, the 90's were probably Asia's mostly honestly "progressive" period. They started a little shaky on Aqua (1992), sort've bridging from their 80's to 90's sound (thankfully all of the best songs from Aqua are here on this disc), then moving to the more polished, operatic and hard-edged Aria (1994), and then doing a total 180-degree turn with Arena (1996), which was full of smooth 70's-style classic rock harmonies, Latin and Middle-Eastern rhythms, and dark 8-9 minute prog-metal mini-epics.

If you're curious about 90's Asia, pick this up. If you're new to Asia period and are on a budget, get this and Geffen's Heat of the Moment: The Very Best of Asia 1982-90, and you'll be set.

Note: This Snapper edition features bonus live tracks.

"Asia - Anthology" is a collection of Asia's greatest hits. While all of the music is the same as all other Asia albums (due to being a greatest collection), the combination of all the greatest hits is what is new and fresh. The ability to listen to all of the great Asia songs, like "Only Time Will Tell" and "Heat of the Moment" on one CD makes this production a true pleasure to add to any soft rock music lovers collection.

The lyrics of all Asia songs relate either to relationships or striving to succeed in everyday life struggles. While the vocals are solid and well with in the range of the lead singer, the instrumentation is what is the real hook for music lovers. The soft, mellow ocean at the beginning of "Aqua" makes one feel fresh and alive. When the acoustic guitar and the synthesizer plays it is as if they are being played for a one person audience, you.

"Who Will Stop the Rain" vocals are similar to the lead singer of Lover Boy. John Payne takes this comparison and makes it all his own by soothing harmony with other band members and blends his voice with the various instrumentation for a glorious listening experience.

Listening to "Asia Anthology" after a hard days work will sooth the soul and make all personal struggles fade with every beat of the drum or press of the synthesizer key.

Asia has a sound similar to Survivor (Eye of the Tiger) but is more dedicated to sticking with their original music theme and does not sell out for the easy one hit song.

"Asia - Anthology" is a definite must listen too. Although it lacks the hard driving instrumentation most rock lovers look for, this entire CD is upbeat and extremely positive for anyone looking for re-enforcement or reassurance that everything will be fine.

I haven't been paying much attention to Asia's new lineup up to now and it was a huge mistake. I listened to this and their new album Silent Nation and both of them are unbelievably good. The songs are as beautiful as ever, while John Payne adds a rocking feel that Asia somewhat lacked. Some people live in the past and refuse to give new lineup a chance because they danced to the Heat of the Moment at their high school prom or whatever, but it's no way to judge a band. They are great and John Payne adds a new dimension to their music, which is much more versatile than with the "classic" lineup, but retains all of the melody and flow of the earlier releases.

I recommend this and Silent Nation as these contain some of the best music released in the past few years.

If you knew Asia in the early 80's, don't expect this CD to sound the same, since they used a different vocalist. Nowhere does it explain that on the cover of the CD, and I made the mistake of purchasing it at a store which was going out of business, and had no way of returning it. Out of my 775 CD collection, this one ranks in my worst 10. It's just plain a-w-f-u-l. Ugh.

JOHN PAYNE WITH A KARAOKE MACHINE!!!!!!!!! MAKE IT STOP!!!!!!!AVOID THIS ALBUM AT ALL COSTS!!