Asia
Silent Nation
Inside Out Music
2004
Three years after the astonishing “Aura” Asia is back with a new album that’s an indicator of what they can still do. I quite think they won that bet. Without many guest appearances like their previous, the line-up here is smaller and flexible. The guitarist Guthrie Govan, the drummer Chris Slade and the vocalist/bassist John Payne are being guided intelligently by the mastermind, songwriter & keyboardist Geoffrey Downes.
Keeping the prog elements of their past… but embellishing them with the known melodic rock/AOR Asia-like features, “Silent Nation” possibly showcases a moody & upfront (“Blue Moon Monday”, “Darkness Day” & “The Prophet”) side of the band. All those beloved Asia essentials are present on this album. The atmospheric keys, the symphonic passages, the prog/AOR touches… and above all, the catchy melodies. John’s giving some amazing performances throughout this album. Needless to say, the production is crystal clear & powerful!
I do not know how many of you thought that Asia could actually come up with another winner but they did so, displaying that they are in a great shape in general. This line-up seems to have a wonderful chemistry and I do hope they keep on offering us such inspired & memorable albums like “Silent Nation”. The fans of the band should be proud of the Asia legacy thus far. I do fancy the “classified” album title. We are indeed a silent nation – from the smallest country up to the biggest one… and that’s very sad at long last. Perhaps “Blue Moon Monday” “expresses” that thing in the best way…
Keeping the prog elements of their past… but embellishing them with the known melodic rock/AOR Asia-like features, “Silent Nation” possibly showcases a moody & upfront (“Blue Moon Monday”, “Darkness Day” & “The Prophet”) side of the band. All those beloved Asia essentials are present on this album. The atmospheric keys, the symphonic passages, the prog/AOR touches… and above all, the catchy melodies. John’s giving some amazing performances throughout this album. Needless to say, the production is crystal clear & powerful!
I do not know how many of you thought that Asia could actually come up with another winner but they did so, displaying that they are in a great shape in general. This line-up seems to have a wonderful chemistry and I do hope they keep on offering us such inspired & memorable albums like “Silent Nation”. The fans of the band should be proud of the Asia legacy thus far. I do fancy the “classified” album title. We are indeed a silent nation – from the smallest country up to the biggest one… and that’s very sad at long last. Perhaps “Blue Moon Monday” “expresses” that thing in the best way…