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Mar 19, 2014 · Asia’s post-reunion music grew incrementally in terms of both confidence and stature, from their 2008 comeback Phoenix – the first to reconvene the dream team of bassist/vocalist John Wetton, Howe, drummer Carl Palmer and keyboard wizard Geoffrey Downes – and up to 2012’s sorely under-rated 30th anniversary set XXX, which offered one of their most exquisite compositions in Face On The ...
- Dave Ling
Absolutely. This is the sound Asia became renowned for over the years and with Gravitas, it is clear they haven’t fallen too far from the tree. This becomes apparent with album opener and first single Valkyrie. Chugging guitar riffs, a powerful drum pattern and the constant ringing of rock organs all get thrown in to the mix to brew up that ...
ASIA. Category: Progressive / Rock. Album: Gravitas. Stars: 3.5. Blurb: Presenting fine musicianship, catchy songwriting, and a relaxed atmosphere in equal measure, the latest album from ASIA falls just short of brilliance, but still offers no small amount of satisfaction. For over three decades, ASIA has been something of an anomaly in the ...
Mar 24, 2014 · "Gravitas" is the title of the new output provided by the legendary British supergroup ASIA, the remaining original members John Wetton and Geoff Downes are moving into the next phase of their extraordinary career with a brand new & freshly enthroned guitar player, the young Sam Coulson who had the…
Unfortunately, maybe the chemistry was not as good as it was for their first album from 1982, so Howe finally left again in early 2013. So, like other "super-groups", ASIA was maybe destined to be remembered for a really very good first album and nothing more. But ASIA is not finished yet as a band without Howe.
That all said, Gravitas is still good stuff and while my comments above could and indeed are pretty negative, it doesn't actually mean that I haven't enjoyed this album (I have), or that it is poor (it isn't). However when you set the bar high and Asia have, then there is an expectation that you'll continue to vault over it with style and grace.
Gravitas. Review Summary: An essential release for those seeking a reliable cure for insomnia. There are only two possible reasons why Asia are still releasing records; they genuinely get a kick out of churning out album after album of inoffensive arena rock or they need the cash. Whatever their motivations are there is no doubt that after over ...
