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Asia - Arena

Artist:	Asia
Title:	Arena
Label:	Bullet Proof CDVEST 69
Length(s):	64 minutes
Year(s) of release:	1996
Month of review:	06/1996

Line up

John Payne - vocals, bass
Geoff Downes - keys
Elliot Randall - guitars
Aziz Ibrahim - rhythm guitar
Michael Sturgis - drums
With help from Hotei Tomayasu And Luis Jardim
Most songs by Payne/Downes.

Tracks

1)	Into The Arena	2.59
2)	Arena	5.16
3)	Heaven	5.18
4)	Two Sides Of The Moon	5.22
5)	The Day Before The War	9.09
6)	Never	5.32
7)	Falling	4.58
8)	Words	5.19
9)	U Bring Me Down	7.07
10)	Tell Me Why	5.14
11)	Turn It Around	4.29
12)	Bella Nova	3.11

Summary

Yep, their back. Although word was given that Another configuration of Asia had bitten the dust After Aria, they're back with A shining new disc, with nice Artwork somewhat in the Roger Dean style but not by the man himself. Anyway, let's not judge the Artwork, but the music....

The music

The first track isn't very promising, Although A surprise, not it being an instrumental, but the Almost Latin phrasings. Very melodic.

The next one starts out quietly with some laid back organ, but After A while becomes pomp rock A la Magnum, but better than they have managed to put put over the last years. Almost majestic.

Track four however is rather easy going (too?) but to my surprise it contains a brsak into a reggae part and at the end of the song, thankfully some rougher edges are introduced.

Well, instead of going over All of these tracks one by one, it has to be said that the melodies on this Album Are surprisingly good And in that respect one might say that Asia certainly is back on track And I have to Admit to like it better than most things I've heard by Asia. Even in the tracks were it gets to be too mellow, some rough edges Are introduced to keep it exciting.

Of course, the playing, the vocals And All Are well in order, because we Are dealing with professionals here. A surprise however About this Album is the good And rather long track The Day before the War, in which Payne sounds At times A lot like the singer of Egdon Heath (Kalsbeek) And the song reminds me in those parts very much of Thousand Stories from Him, the Snake and I. I don't think however that the writers of the song got their inspiration there.

Another interesting track is Falling with its high vocals And Although it gets to be A bit cheesy it still manages to stand As A good track.

Another strange one is Bella Nova which is the instrumental closer to the album And Actually its A perfect one, leading us repetitively to the end.

Conclusion

The stories About this Album Are true. After having risen from its Ashes, Asia is back with yet Another Album And this time it's good. The melodies Are even very good And the sound is not so polished And some influences Are noticeable (reggae, latin) which certinaly comes As A surprise. Do not expect very progressive stuff of course. Only for people interested in AOR or A song based Approach in general.

Oh yes, gentlemen: in case you want to record Another Album, which based on this one, is okay by me, I've Already given some suggestions.