Disco de Asia: “Aura [Bonus DVD]”

Amongst the floods of mass-produced music of mediocre or very low quality the genre of AOR/Sympho/Art/Melodic/Progressive (or whatever you want to call it) Rock became almost drowned by it. Fortunately brilliant attempts by new artists and bands like The Storm, Two Fires, Transatlantic, 101 South, Alliance, Arena, Ten, etc., and solo acts like Kip Winger, Bob Catley, Hugo and others saved the day. Giants like Journey, Yes, Saga and others made and are making new stuff and survive rather well in the process. Asia was then but it also became 'now'. And 'now' happened with the appearance of the 4th studio album in the new Asia era - the brilliant and sophisticated product called "AURA". The long awaited album proved that the phrase "Worth waiting for..." is definitely true. "Aura" is a magnificent and highly progressive attempt by the Supergroup Giants of the 80's - Asia! This is a new Asia. One shouldn't expect a powerful and striking entré and momentous thread throughout, as the first 3 albums of the old Asia had. It is not so much about dynamics, power, anthemic velocity and over perfection. It is much more about subtle sensory stimulation (as the name of album indicates - AURA), melancholy, mellowness, warmness, appeal and thematic soundness. There is a theme, a place, a moment in time, a special feeling, a story to be told, very intimate and personal music to be listened to. Aura requires your full attention. It is not a simple album and that is what it gives its greatest quality. From the opening mellow anthemic chorus like "Awake", throughout the beautiful and heart striking "Ready to go Home" (with a finish reminiscent of Police) and up to the fantastically consistent thread songs as "The Last Time", "Forgive me", "Kings of the Day". The album just vibrates with such an incredible aura which none of the previous Asia albums had, except maybe for "Alpha", and partly "Asia". Song "Free" with Saga's Ian Chrichton and ex-Asia's Pat Thrall on guitars validates the statement that this is a progressive album, at least for those that want to prove it by some cliché standards.The album moves all the time in a union of incredible music, superb writing, constrained but ever presented, fundamental and dominating Downes keyboard magic. Payne's theater operatic voice leads the whole thing into a perfect whole. His mastery comes up clearly in "On the coldest day in hell". This comes out as the most passionate and mellow song Asia ever produced. The threads continue in the last tracks of the album, "You are the Stranger" and the "Longest Night" (this one has some good guitar work). The standard version closes with a Santana vibe instrumental track "Aura", featuring Elliot Randall. This wonderful tune could fit just about everywhere, and here it closes the whole package nicely. The biggest surprise comes in the limited edition of the album (one which should have been the standard one). Here the listener is awarded with 3 more tunes. And what tunes they are! When you think this magnificent album is over 3 breathtaking tunes arrive at the scene. "Under the gun" brings the 'old' Asia keyboard feeling and drive that "Aria" had. "Come make my day" gives yet another turn, while "Hands of time" is maybe 'the most progressive' track on the album. It's an exciting song, a mixture of today's quality progressive bands with touches of ELO and Queen and the positive vibes from "Arena". Like a nice 70's tune washed in 80's clothes and reborn in 90's touches proudly ready to enter the 00's. These three songs were done in the beginning of the creation of new Asia that was to arrive on Aura. Ian Chrichton (Saga) really shines here as well as the new drummer Chris Slade (ex AC/DC). Maybe the whole album would have benefited if Ian remained throughout all the tracks, though Guthrie Govan does a very nice job. Steve Howe's flash appearances are worth a million. Geoff Downes keys provide a foundation for every Asia album now. This time one can feel that his playing has matured immensely form the old Asia days. It just shows that an incredible talent can never stop in advancement. For Geoff Downes it seems that there is no end. There are breezes of his latest solo works ("Light Program" & "World Service"). Writing on this album is probably the finest in Asia history. Production by Simon Hanhart is top of the notch. The masterful strokes of Roger Dean's thematic paintings are back again. Maybe it's no coincidence that the album features the return/resurrection of the "Alpha" pyramid. John Payne's vocal potentials are awesome. While the album probably won't achieve the success of any of the 3 albums of the 80's, due to so many other things beside the music on the album itself (today's scene, music, preferences, industry, advertisement, etc.) it will certainly assert Asia again with the above mentioned old and new spearheads of quality music. Asia always deserved to receive the music greatest achievement - the Grammy award. It didn't happen in the 80's but there is always a chance for this group to be recognized if the right thing comes along. This year proved that old timers like Steely Dan could take most of the things away from the "plastic" age representatives. Asia is one of the very few groups or singers capable of making high quality music. "Aura" is a special album from a special group. It is an enjoyment from the first to the last minute. It is not a simple product and it requires a lot from the listener. If you decide take this "subtle sensory stimulus journey" don't expect a plain musical ride. It's much, much more complex task. If you decide to take the "Aura" journey, you will be in for a ride of your life. If you decide not to, you missed a hell of a experience.

Let's be honest about something, Asia with John Payne is still Asia, and a better one at that. We may even say that with Payne, Asia has progressed (as progressive bands do) musically in such a way that (although I love him), I don't miss Wetton.

Aura is a testimony of how the band has come to mature, musically and lyrically into the solid creative relationship between Downes and Payne. The titles are no longer cliches, the lyrics have improved immensely and the music is more than I've come to expect of Asia.

Aura has many moods to it, with the underlining theme of spirituality and how it affects us as a society and as individuals, from war to tele-evangelism to the loss of a loved one. Yet, there is an uplifting and mystical quality to the album, songs like "Awake", "Kings of the Day" and "Free" are the kind of songs that make you want to get up in the morning. The lyrics are very honest and seem very personal at times.

The album is layered, and the list of guest musicians is astounding (any album who unites Tony Levin, Pat Thrall, Steve Howe, Vinny Colaiuta and Ian Chricton has to be good). Yet some of the chord progressions are often very simple (like something I'd play!).

The guitar work is the only reason I'd give this album 4 1/2 stars, rather than 5. The talent was there, but the guitar players seem to have been asked to "fill in" the songs and their work is reduced to a texturalist approach. Pat Thrall said he had played his best recorded solo ever in Aura, it's not obvious to me that he did.

It's clear the band did not have a clear idea of what kind of guitar player they wanted. They had originally asked Adrian Smith but nothing ever materialized (he later went back to Iron Maiden and recorded one of their best albums to date). Then came Ian Crichton (for three songs), and now the band seems happy with Gurthie Govan (who has an uncanny resemblance to Vivian Campbell), althought they made clear that in future albums other guitar players will participate.

A pet peeve; the introductions in some of the songs seem unnecesseraly long.

Overall the album is great, "You are the Stranger", "Kings of the Day", "Forgive me" ,"Aura" and "Free" stand out, but every song has a story and, like anything well done, there is an intangible quality to Aura. It's comforting to know that with albums like this, Asia will be around for a good long time.

Asia always manages to blow my mind and Aura was no exception. It was way worth the wait and is the logical step to take from the Arena album. Highly recommended!

Aura--Asia's seventh full-length album--was released in 2001. Clocking in at almost eighty minutes, it is comprised of 14 tracks--the last three are extra tracks ("Under the Gun," "Come Make My Day," "Hands of Time"). There is also an instrumental, the energetic "Aura." Altogether, I find the songwriting to be solid, the musicianship to be skilled, and the sound quality to be gratifying. Geoff Downes, my favorite keyboardist, performs with proficiency throughout. In comparison with the guitar playing, Downes' keyboard work takes a more primary role. John Payne does an efficient job with the vocals. It is obvious that a lot of work was put into the making of Aura; the material is refined, stately, and layered. It is not easy to categorize this album into a specific musical direction. I would have to say that it is a combination of pop rock, adult contemporary, and New Age. Even though I think that all of the tracks are worthy, the two that I consider to be favorites are "Awake" and "Ready to Go Home." The majestic confection "Awake" presents ambient, serene keyboard atmospherics from Downes and also a flowing, pretty keyboard solo from him. "Ready to Go Home" is a touching, special song that displays impressive, determined singing from Payne and a pleasing, emotional refrain. Examples of other compositions that I enjoy are "Wherever You Are," "Kings of the Day," "Free," and "Under the Gun." "Wherever You Are" sports a nice intro keyboard melody from Downes, a well-crafted, noteworthy guitar solo, and a pleasant refrain. "Kings of the Day" features attractive keyboard playing from Downes and an engaging refrain. "Free" is an epic, grand piece with notable arrangements, and "Under the Gun" displays an indelibly beautiful keyboard line from Downes. The CD packaging includes the song lyrics to all of the songs except for the last three extra tracks. Aura is a recommendable album from Asia.

Yet Again John Payne turns in a powerful & uplifting vocal performance,

From The catchy opening hook of "Awake" to the downright spiritual "Ready To Go Home" a CD any "ASIA" fan can enjoy,

However if your expecting something along the lines of "Heat of the Moment"

you may want to look some where else.

Aura hearkens back to the great days of 70's & 80's FM rock like The Alan Parsons Project, TOTO, & Traffic. A great CD when you need to unwind & still get a groove on at the same time

I am a fan of the old Asia and the new as well.I can honestly say that this is one of Asia's best releases I have heard.Geoffrey Downes has taken the band in the direction it should have gone in the first place.Do not get me wrong I love the old Asia material, but after the first album it seemed to lack any essence of being a prog band.Aura has brilliant songwriting to say the least! "Free" is definately one of the strongest songs on it,it is comparible to,"The day before the war" and "You bring me down" from the Arena album,which is another well thought out and well written album.John Payne and Geoffrey Downes harmonize better together than John Wetton and Downes ever could.The songs,"Wherever you are" and "Ready to go home" are prog ballads (if there is such a thing) but do very well to make this a complete well thought out and brilliantly put together album. If you are reading any bad reviews about this album it is probably by a disgruntled bitter prog fan who is not open to change. How could anyone call an album that was two years in the making and has such musicians as,Tony Levin (King Crimson),Steve Howe (Asia Yes Gtr),Ian Chrichton (Saga), Chris Slade (Manfred Mann) bad? This album is A BREATH OF FRESH AIR in a world where anger seems to be the theme of music nowadays.