AURA

Well, I was a little skeptical about this one from the very start: when I saw on the booklet that the band was now reduced to Geoff Downes and John Payne I knew I should not expect much. Besides, the number of guests musicians was stunning (13!). And that included former members Steve Howe, Eliott Randall and Pat Thrall, terrific prog musicians like Simon Phillips, Tony Levin and even Ian Crichton (Saga). All to no avail, since they are merely session players here and their styles rarely surfaces on this album (except of course for Howe´s guitar licks, but even then, very few times).

This is Asia on name only. It sounds like a John Payne solo album featuring Geoff Downes, or vice-versa. There is no team work here that you hear so well on albums like Silent Nation, Aria and Aqua (even if the latter was recorded with several musicians, it did sound like a band work). Arena was the beginning of the fall, I see now, and Aura is definitly their lowest. Not that is totally bad: it has some nice tracks, but the music here is pure pop, totally devoided of any edge. The rock element is missing much of the time and the prog aspect is almost nonexistent. the 8 minute long Free is probably the most interesting song on the album, followed by the first three tracks. And yet they are all below what we should expect from such seasoned and talented musicians.

Production is, of course, very good and clean, but the songs are not as strong as before. I´m really amazed that the three extra tracks are even more popier than the original album (thank god they were scrapped before they recorded another album). And it is even more incredible to think that the follow up of this weak album was one of their best, Silent Nation. Maybe the lesson was learned.

Conclusion: a real disappointment. Not totally bad, expecially if you like well played but simple pop songs. But probably Asia´s weakest efford ever. this one is surely for hardcore fans, collectors and completionists. NOT a good album to start if you´re a newsbie (this was the case of one reviewer here. Hey, The T, give them another chance!). 2 stars.