I've usually seen this boxed set for about $ 25-30, which is a good price for three discs, all of which are remastered and feature bonus tracks. As for the music itself, the 90's Asia lineup got progressively better with each release...
Aqua (1992) had some growing pains, as the songwriting and players were all over the place, and John Payne was trying to find his voice within the band as Asia's new vocalist. This is a transitional album, bridging the sound of 80's and 90's Asia. There's a handful of about 4-6 great songs on here, but it's generally regarded as Asia's weakest studio effort. 3 stars.
Aria (1994) was much better, with a loose lyrical concept and a solidified Asia lineup in Downes, Payne, Pitrelli (guitars) and Sturgis (drums.) The music was a bit more classical, as well as heavier and metallic. The lyrics were starting to get better. Asia's best album since 1983's Alpha. 3.5 stars.
Arena (1996) was Asia's grand opus of the 90's, and it shows on all fronts. The lyrics were bittersweet, mature, and soulful, and the album has a very classic rock feel to it. Light-years beyond the stadium rock of '82, but if you like different items on your plate (as well as genuine "progressive rock"), this is for you. 4 stars.
I'd suggest this if you already have Asia, Alpha and Astra (or the Anthologia set) and want to grab all of Asia's 90's albums as a companion piece.
With the departure of John Wetton, Steve Howe and Carl Palmer, Asia reformed in the 90's with only one orginal member, Geoff Donwes. "Aqua" the first of the box set was a very strong entry into the Asia catalogue. The music was solid and the entire cd flows very nicely. Unfortunately, I found "Aria" and "Arena" to be lesser works. I have been an Asia fan since their first album and I rarely listed to either "Aria" or "Arena". The subqesuent cd releases to "Arena" (Archivia Vol. I and II) containing songs written for, but not used on any of these 3 cds were better in most cases.
I highly recommend "Aqua" to anyone that likes Asia.
This box set collects the three proper Asia studio albums of the 1990's, AQUA, ARIA and ARENA. These cd's are essential for any prog-rock fan to own. John Payne has drastically improved Asia.
