Customer Reviews

Silent Nation (Bonus Dvd) (Spec)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

The vetran British supergroup Asia has returned with their first new studio album in three years, "Silent Nation". Although the present incarnation of keyboardist Geoff Downes, bassist/vocalist John Payne, guitarist Guthrie Govan and drummer Chris Slade has been together for nearly three years, this album is the first studio album to feature this line-up.
For "Silent Nation", Asia has partially returned to the sound of their early '80s heyday while offering fresh and exciting new approaches to the mix. Tracks such as "Long Way From Home", "Ghost In The Mirror", "What About Love" and "I Will Be There For You" are loaded with the driving anthemic choruses and dynamic arena rock asthetics that fans love most about Asia. Elsewhere are more progressive tracks such as "Blue Moon Monday", "Midnight" and the album's title track. "Gone Too Far", "Darkness Day" and "The Prophet" display a darker side to the band that's not always apparent in their other works.
All in all, this is a triumphant return for Asia. The band has definitely come full circle and the album truly is a solid group effort. Now, if the band were to really come to the fullest circle, John Wetton, Steve Howe and Carl Palmer would need to come back to the band. However, the current line-up of the band has fully succeeded in recreating the definitive Asia sound. "Silent Nation" is Asia's strongest album in years and is worth checking out.
The Special Edition includes a bonus DVD which features a 25-minute documentary of Asia behind the scenes recording "Silent Nation". Besides containing interviews with the Asia band members, it also offers a great insight into how this album was made. Another reason for picking up "Silent Nation".

With SILENT NATION, Asia combines their prog-rock finesse of AURA with a strong emphasis on straightforward melodic rock and the result is a winning effort...one of their best ever with lead vocalist John Payne. While I remain a great fan of the "classic" Downes-Howe-Palmer-Wetton era, I believe that the lineup who recorded SILENT NATION is Asia's best since then. In addition to Payne and keyboardist/founder Geoff Downes, Asia has added superb guitarist Guthrie Govan and veteran all-star drummer Chris Slade. SILENT NATION sounds more like a cohesive band effort than anything Asia has done since 1983. Payne's vocals are strong and soulful, without going over the top as he has tended to do in the past. The songs are a fairly strong lot, though the bookends could have been a little sturdier. The opening cut, "What About Love" is a bit heavy-handed lyrically, and somewhat pedestrian-sounding rawk in a nouveau Bad Company way. But, with "Long Way from Home," Asia begins to move cautiously towards the prog/pop end of the equation, and then they up the ante tremendously with "Midnight" and "Blue Moon Monday," which contain tremendous playing and arranging, particularly the latter. "Silent Nation" is another strong cut, and "Ghost in the Mirror" would have sat comfortably (and stood tall) on Asia's first two classic albums...great, soaring harmonies, plucky organ and keyboard work, shimmery guitars...tremendous! Guthrie Govan's delicate, gorgeous acoustic work leads into the stellar and moving "Gone Too Far," a tragic ballad with strong spiritual overtones. Payne's vocals are a revelation here..nuanced and powerful without being overpowering or showy. The track builds into a killer, showstopping guitar solo by Guthrie backed by a mournful choir. "I Will Be There for You" is another ALPHA-sounding song...if we lived in 1983, this one would be a chart-topper. A huge chorus, memorable hooks, heavy riffage, blistering solos, gritty-yet-harmonic vocals, bubbly prog-pop...what's not to like? As the dust settles, a seeming choir of monks leads us into the twilight zone of "Darkness Day," which is heavy and spooky...Payne growls and wails his way through this pastiche of Black Sabbath-meets-Vangelis. Strong instrumentally and melodically, "The Prophet" suffers from wanting to say SOMETHING REALLY IMPORTANT, but being unsure of exactly what it is, or at least, unclear about it. Govan's nimble guitar work and Downes' simmering Hammond organ keep things at least interesting here, in a Pink Floyd sort of way. The enclosed DVD, "The Making of SILENT NATION" is a nice bonus...not essential, but cool to have. The packaging in this Special Edition really is special...hardback book format, great pictures and artwork, extensive liner notes. Asia obviously went all out here, and it really pays of handsomely.

STANDOUT TRACKS: "Blue Moon Monday," "Ghost in the Mirror," and "Gone Too Far."

At first listen, I was drawn into the music and at times the vocals. After listening to Silent Nation several times, it is a solid effort. Payne's vocal quality has never been Asia's greatest attribute, but he can sing and this is some of his best work. The Guthrie's guitar playing is probably the biggest surprise. It is quite good. It fits into the Asia mold while at the same time manages to sound fresh and energetic. Downes keyboards are always good eventhough he almost seems uninspired here and the drumming is solid, not virtuoso, but still capable. This brings us to why I gave Silent Nation three stars. While it is a better than average effort, it still lacks the stellar musicianship that ASIA was originally founded on. On their first album, the songs fed off the musical energy. Now it seems that the musicianship gets lost in all of the production. While the DVD (included in the package) doesn't really add alot to the package, it does portray the band as a hard working group of guys who care about the end product more than selling millions of CDs. Therefore, it's hard not to pull for ASIA. They obviously don't just put out "product."
If you are looking for the glory days, you want find them here. If you are looking for above average music in the overated prog rock segment, this is way better than most.

Having known Asia only through John Wetton trilogy ASIA, ALPHA and ASTRA, the latest of the band's release to me is listening to the different band. Not Asia I know. As title track and most impressive track DARKNESS DAY show that the arrangement no longer has Wetton days' upbeat rhythm. But just forgetting Wetton past and listen to this album as it is the greatness emerges a bit by bit.

WHAT ABOUT LOVE the leading single is trying to regain their 80s rock just in vain. Not appropriate for the single choice.
LONG WAY FROM HOME is close to 80's Asia upbeat one. Radio station might rather choose this one to introduce this album.
MIDNIGHT is old and new Asia meet together. Excellently arranged and fit and represent the album concept pretty well.
BLUE MOON MONDAY might receive split opinions I enjoyed this one but some of the fans might have felt boring.
SILENT NATION is well themed one. Nice track with repeated listens.
GHOST IN THE MIRROR is again upbeat 80s Asia but not full enough to convince old time fans.
GONE TOO FAR should be the one track extensively played on the adult rock radio stations and Launchcast web station. Message is well expressed and very impressive and contributes very well to convey the album concept.
I WILL BE THERE FOR YOU to me is a fan service track. That's fully 80s Asia.
DARKNESS DAY also is well structured and fit to be extensively played. Very nicely mixes oriental mood.
THE PROPHET is moody and excellent emotional ballad.

JACKET AND THEME
Album jacket seems part of New York City (of course the 50s styled car and the passers-by are using models and production).
Silent Nation refers to the United States of America. Very ironic.

Verdict: Well themed and consistent album. But some of the first half tracks are a bit weak I think.
Rating: 81 out of 100
Recommended for: Post Wetton days Asia fans. And Dream Theater fans.

4 and a half stars

Asia finaly returned with new studio material in 2004 with SILENT NATION, on the ever-expanding Insideout label, after a number of tours and some acoustic gigs in support of the last album, 2001's AURA. In contrast to the more laid back and cinematic mellow rock of AURA, a studio-bound creation, SILENT NATION is a more 'band'-oriented offering with a darker atmosphere and edgier material. First of all, the packaging is darker- closer to the feel of a Dream Theater or Arena record, no Roger Dean landscape this time. Tradition #1 is broken. Second, the title of the album doesn't start and end with the letter 'A', tradition #2 is broken.

Asia have clearly tried to move forward, as only a band like Asia can, in securing new images and new approaches. In contrast to the guest star-heavy last few albums, SILENT N. has a full 4-man band feel to it, the line-up being keyboard innovator Geoff Downes, songwriting partner singer/bassist John Payne, drummer Chris Slade(AC/DC, The Firm) and guitarist Gutherie Govan(Govan shines throughout). The same line-up for the AURA tours. Some claim the SILENT N. harks back to the first album, I say not really- more like a return to the heavier panoramic 'rock' sound of 1994's 'ARIA', to be honest. That is no bad thing, John Payne sings with the same soul and passion as ever, while his lyrics are possibly the best Asia have probably used. While the music is more organic and 'group' minded, this release is probably the most dark and emotionally down album of their career. And the wailing guitars, impassioned vocals and crafted keyboard work drive it all home. This isn't your 'Heat Of The Moment' or 'Don't Cry' Asia.

There is also a more guitar emphasis on most of the tracks. Relatively unknown Gutherie Govan provides enough guitar personality to maybe not make us forget Steve Howe from years past, but to grudgingly give respect where it is clearly due. Live on the S.N. tour he truely proved to be a classy and more that able guitarist. Chris Slade provides solid drumming fitting for this style of rock music. Geoff's synths still slather the material with a coat of modern panoramic fairy dust, but there's a big helping of organ as well. Here are the tracks:




WHAT ABOUT LOVE: The lead off track is your standard Asia fist-pumper, with the strong harmonies which sound like a hundred people singing at the same time and a hard rock bite. Geoff breaks into a Deep Purple-esque organ bit in the middle section, though it could have been further developed.

LONG WAY FROM HOME: a fine 80's sounding mid-tempo rocker which sounds a little like it could have been an outtake from AURA. Also the single from the album, though the CD single features short and ineffective radio edits but a nice acoustic version.

MIDNIGHT: Geoff Downes steps up to the plate on this track about the damaged ecology. The middle section is a bit progressive, almost ELP, with some nice symphonic keyboards and organ.

BLUE MOON MONDAY: longest track at seven minutes or so, and one of Asia's darkest. Here Payne sings about someone haunted by dreams of a holocaust, afraid to sleep. Dreary synths and pained guitar go in and out of conscienceness. A bit depressing for Asia, but musically quite powerful.

SILENT NATION: the title track is another down-beat song, inspired by censorship, Howard Stern and the state of radio. Fine harmony vocals throughout.

GHOST IN THE MIRROR: after the a few dark tracks, a faster paced rocker is a welcome diversion. GHOST was co-written with Billy Sherwood(ex-YES) and has a Queen vibe.

GONE TOO FAR: another darker track similar to the title track but with an orchestral atmosphere, heavy with mostly symphonic keys and emotional vocals until the full band comes for additional power. The track ends with male choir, sounding like Russian monks.

I WILL BE THERE FOR YOU: another rocker, which recalls earlier John Wetton-era Asia circa 'Astra' from 1985. I can almost hear Wetton in place of Payne on this one. Billy Sherwood also cowrote this one with Geoff and John Payne.

DARKNESS DAY: more chanting monks and pulsating synth blurbling away underneath angular guitar and driving drums for this track, with its menacing Middle Eastern/Zeppelin-type atmosphere. Greta for late-night driving.

THE PROPHET: whale-like sounds introduce another downbeat anthem which gets cozy towards the end and eventually fades where perhaps they should have just jamed for a while. Shimmering organ and tortured guitar dominate, and bring to mind what it may have been like had the Buggles joined Styx instead of Yes.

RISE: for those who shelled out for the Japanese version got an extra rocker, 'RISE' which perhaps should have replaced one of the more depressing tracks for more balance.

And some versions include a 'making of SILENT N.' DVD. Though you may not ever watch it more than twice, it's not bad to have for an extra buck or two.

Asia have been quite active these days, and hope to release new music before too long on the Insideout label. Maybe something a little more cheerful next time, perhaps? In the wake of rumors of a 'classic' Asia reunion(Downes/Wetton/Steve Howe/Carl Palmer), one can't help but respect the John Payne era band. With SILENT N., this is a new and more mature Asia, and I hope they aren't put on the shelf for too long.

Thank you Asia...from the bottom of my heart! The inclusion of Chris Slade peaked my interest - an integral part of AC/DC's best album in the last 15 years i.e., Razor's Edge. I was hoping for John Payne and Geoff Downes to rachet up the level of the "rock" element but staying true to the ethereal and whispy nature of prior Asia efforts. Excellent production with a sound quality that is truly enjoyable. This aspect is such a rarity - witness Rush's Vapor Trails. Govan Guthrie is a revelation...his eclectic style with a beautiful tonal range is nothing short of remarkable.
Folks...give the disc three or four spins and you'll see it grow on you with each each additional session. If you readers get a chance please try Porcupine Tree's "In Absentia" - shockingly good production which will become a classic in progressive rock in the ensuing years. The new Tesla and UFO were fantastic as well. These discs will have you smiling at the audiophile sound quality.

I really enjoyed this album. The harmonies and melodies are catchy and infectous. Two favorites are 'What About Love,' and 'Ghost in the Mirror.' I find the more I listen to this CD, the more I like it. If you are an Asia fan, Check it out with and open ear and mind. I discovered Asia because of Chris Slade (whom I was a fan of from The Firm and AC/DC), I really get a kick out of these guys. Can't wait until the tour starts up.

While returning to more rock roots on this particular outing, this version of ASIA have somewhat rekindled some of the feel and sounds of old while refining their particular craft or formula in the process. The current lineup of Downes, Payne, Govan, Slade have a tight confident feel and a sense of good kinsmenship which holds a band together rather than pull one apart as in previous incarnations. This is reflected in the music and the effort pays off. Crystal clear production is also an added bonus. While I won't go into details as to my personal favorites, it is clear to me that you must listen to this cd several times before forming any opinions of likes or dislikes. It did not gel with me at first and took about 3 listens to finally process what I was hearing. A solid effort.

Asia has never disappointed me, from the original lineup to each incarnation of the band. I'm not much into live recordings of which they have multitudes, but this studio album from 2004 is very well made. The production excellent, the songs, performance and harmonies are great. It is interesting to note that their next album "Phoenix" brought back the original lineup back, and the Asia sound continues to evolve album to album. It is time for a complete discography of all their incarnations, all albums into one set. I have their entire discography of studio albums, including Archiva Vol 1 & 2, as well as the "Rare" album. Asia always has been and continues to evolve as a great progressive rock band.

When I first heard about Asia going into the studio to create a new CD I was quite excited. The last disc AURA didn't do much for me. I was one of the few people who thought the disc was just okay. Now we have SILENT NATION and it has been worth the wait. While I'm aware that this isn't completely the same group of musicians that hit the charts in the 80's I'm not concerned. Asia (like many bands) have had members come and go. This particular lineup has been together for a few years now and I accept them as a valid band and not an attempt at cashing in on the retro band movement. Now back to the review.

SILENT NATION is a solid, classic rock sounding, memorable CD that will occupy my disc player for some time. This album strikes a positive note with my progressive and pop/rock leanings. The cover art was a change from the past projects and yet it looks great! This is one of the few Asia CD's that I think fit in the Astra, Alpha, & Asia era. To pick a favorite song is difficult. (I've only had the disc a short time). I'm sure in a few weeks some songs will stand out, but that's a good "problem" that I still like listening to the complete CD. I cannot say that about the last few CD purchases I made.

I hope they tour the US to support it. Now where do I get my SILENT NATION t-shirt...