Disco de Asia: “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."

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.

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...

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.

I'm a big fan of Asia's first release about 22 years ago, their self-titled album on Geffen that contained their biggest hits. But, even without the presence of John Wetton over the past ten to twelve years, Asia has grown into an entirely new direction with lead singer John Payne that doesn't make them any less provocative and appealing to the ears as they were in the early days of their career in 1982. "Silent Nation" has thought-provoking lyrics about the Big Brother era we live in (such as excellent title track, Silent Nation, and the track "Darkness Day"). And that's what it always comes down to...the quality of the music and lyrics. And Asia keeps hitting home runs with both.

Geoff Downes and John Payne have found a way to keep the the poignancy of early Asia alive today by keeping Downes' trademark keyboards intact...and effectively weaving Payne's mighty voice into musical tapestry that awakens your senses song after song. Asia is wonderful in the John Wetton and the John Payne era...I'm a fan of both, because with each release Asia has only ADDED new dimensions in their music, not taken anything away. Here's to another 22 years.