Aqua

Asia | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 15, 1994)
• Original Release Date: 1992
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B0000033FG
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #355,337 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Aqua, Pt. 1

2. Who Will Stop the Rain?

3. Back in Town

4. Love Under Fire

5. Someday

6. Little Rich Boy

7. The Voice of Reason

8. Lay Down Your Arms

9. Crime of the Heart

10. A Far Cry

11. Don't Call Me

12. Heaven on Earth

13. Aqua, Pt. 2

14. Obsession [*]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who Will Stop The Payne?, July 12, 2005

By 

Jason M. Carzon (bowie, maryland United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Aqua (Audio CD)

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.

I still find Aqua to be a fine listen today. Listen to it with an open mind and an open heart.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars On the contrary previous reviewer, this is one of their finest moments, December 14, 2005

By 

C. TOMES (uk) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Aqua (Audio CD)

Aqua is a musical masterpiece and placed ASIA back to the top of their game in the early 90's. "Who will stop the Rain" and many other tracks on the album are quite simply superb. Payne and Downes are an awesome combo and album after album have proved to be the best at what they do - writing great meaningful, sweeping, and powerul music. Buy the rest of their albums since (especially 'Aura') and you won't be dissapointed. Aqua is a must have album.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ASIA: AQUA, October 16, 2007

By 

Raymond Bradshaw "Dont just listen to the hit... (Denton, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aqua (Audio CD)

I came into this album (And the other post Wetton CD's)
after becoming frustrated with my other favorite band's refusal to record new music (i.e. KISS) I had begun exploring other bands I had listened to in the past. One of them being ASIA. I made the great choice of buying "ASIA: GOLD" which consist of their first 3 albums & other music! If you like ASIA you have to get it! Nuff said about that one.

Anyway, enter John Payne (A Former member of ELO II) P.S. Bev Bevan doesn't hire just anybody.

I found John Payne to be a refreshing influence on the band both musically & Lyrically. turning away from Wettons songs of pain & heart break to positive & uplifting pieces that revive the spirit & inspire the soul.

If your a fan of the Old ASIA do not expect the same from this band,
Be open minded about it & you just might find you will like it in spite of yourself.