Customer Reviews

Archiva, Vol. 1

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

 

 

This is the first of two albums that are composed of "out-take" songs that were recorded at various times during the late 80's and early 90's, but never made it on an Asia release. So, one might be tempted to think that these songs are of relatively poor quality. But, such is not the case!! They are all excellent songs in their own right, and they are good "snapshots" of the band at different times, with different people contributing on the music and writing. The best songs are "Heart of Gold", "Reality", and the haunting "Ginger", which is one of Steve Howe's all too rare contributions to 90's Asia. This album is an overlooked gem in the catalog of Asia's releases. Pick it up!

Archiva, Vol. 1, released in 1996, is a disc from Asia that contains 12 previously unreleased compositions. I find all of the material on this album to be good. All in all, this release sports skillful musicianship, worthy songwriting, and tight sound quality. The tracks are in a pop rock musical direction. One ballad ("I Can't Wait a Lifetime") and two instrumentals ("The Mariner's Dream," "Ginger") are included. Geoff Downes, my favorite keyboardist, does a talented job throughout. John Payne handles the vocal and bass guitar duties on all of the material--he also plays guitar on six cuts. Payne does well with his vocal delivery. Various musicians perform on this disc, too. "Fight Against the Tide," "The Mariner's Dream," "Boys from Diamond City," "I Can't Wait a Lifetime," and "Ginger" are examples of pieces that I like. One of the facets of "Fight Against the Tide" that I enjoy is Downes' fleet-fingered keyboard playing. "The Mariner's Dream," a short and nice instrumental featuring Payne on guitar, displays delicate, velvety guitar work. The tune "Boys from Diamond City" exhibits an attractive, melodic keyboard intro along with smooth, serene harmony vocals. "I Can't Wait a Lifetime" is a pleasant ballad that features a string section. Steve Howe takes care of the guitar responsibilities on the appealing and pretty instrumental "Ginger," the disc's closing track. The CD booklet includes the song lyrics along with informative comments concerning each track. Two black-and-white photos--one with Downes, Payne, and Howe and another one solely of Howe--are also included. Behind the CD tray, an Asia logo is featured with a blue and purple background. The back of the CD jewel case has information from Payne on how Archiva, Vol. 1, came to be. The CD cover illustration of the spider and its surroundings is creative and interesting. The disc is just over 49 minutes. Anyone who likes Asia and doesn't have Archiva, Vol. 1, should get it--it's solid and enjoyable.

Asia's new cd is a collection of unreleased materialfrom the past several years. With most cds, like this, you see why the songs were not put on the cds, the suck. BUT that is not he case with this cd. There are a couple of stinkers on this cd MARINER'S DREAM & GINGER. But rest of the cd holds it's own very well. Songs like HEART OF GOLD, REALITY, I BELIEVE, I CAN'T WAIT A LIFE TIME, are up there with some of Asia's best song. All the songs, for the most part are good, but when looking back they really don't fit in the style of the cds that were released at the time, AQUA, ARIA, & ARENA. Plus some of the songs would have been great in the cds, but were not done in time to be included. This is a great collection of songs, that otherwise would have ended up lost. My only real complaint is that the cd cover is so dark you can barely see what is on it.

I don't want to pass judgement on this album, but it is not late 80s / early 90s material. This from '96 and is really ASIA Vol. 1 - Archiva, Payne material not Wetton.

This collection of unused tracks from the John Payne era shows just how strong the material being recorded during that period was. In fact, its hard to figure out how some of these tracks got left off the album as they rival the material on the three studio albums of this time. All the songs display the versatility, confidence and excellence of the "new" Asia. And the running order on both volumes of Archiva is well-selected so that it flows like an actual studio album. A stunningly great example of music that demonstrates why this version of Asia may be one of the best bands of the 90's.

This album is okay, but Archiva Vol. 2 is a little better. But any album with Geoff Downes on it is worth a listen.

As awful as the post-Wetton Asia releases have been, even they are an improvement over these 2 efforts - never-released garbage that even the band forgot about until a pipe burst and flooded their studio.