Arena is the 8th album by Asia. Asia initially started in 1981 a lineup of very strong progressive musicians. In their latest release, the combination of Geoff Downes and John Payne is very interesting. Along with this pair (working together since Astra), are Elliott Randall from Steely Dan, Aziz Ibrahim, Michael Sturgis and Luis Jardim.
While there is some hint of the former versions of Asia present on this album, the sound is significantly different from their previous big hits on Asia. Listeners looking to Arena to hear new renditions of "Heat Of The Moment" are in for a surprise.
Lead guitarist Elliott Randall brings some of the qualities of his association with Steely Dan to Arena. This album has a warmer quality over Asia's initial releases - possibly due to increased use of Hammond organs over standard synthesizers. These differences make for a significantly different, more relaxed sound that still seems to capture some of the same emotion that fans will recognize.
"Into The Arena" is an introductory instrumental, with warm Steely Dan guitars, maracas, warm organ and congas - a nice mellow warmup to the songs to come. The "Arena" itself is a continuation of the same sound, but building as it describes an almost gladiatorial battleground.
"Heaven" has a bit more of a rock feel, with an initial sound slightly reminiscent of Pink Floyd. "Two Sides Of The Moon" is a bit more hard edged in vocals, and to some extent, synthesizer. The execution of "Two Sides Of The Moon" is gripping, and has a more creative and progressive sound than most of the album.
"The Day Before The War" is a somewhat faster moving song, with a bit of Asia'a old punch in the intro. This nine minute track is a combination of fast moving instrumental and reflective soft- spoken vocals. Along with this, there are some captivating instrumental sections. The total effect is to build a kind of reverie for times past, not to be regained.
"Never" is an interesting combination of strong synthesizer and overwhelming vocals. The guitar work during the refrains is very strong. "Falling" reminds this critic more of synthesizer pop than progressive or alternative style. "Words" is a lively synthetic pop sounding track with a bit of style.
This album still has a surprise or two left. "U Bring Me Down" has an eastern influence to its initial synthesizer, and an interesting beat. The vocals are almost completely disjoint from the driving beat. In the liner notes, this section is referred to as "Counter Rap", but sounds nothing at all like rap. It is an interesting work.
"Tell Me Why" is a slower quiet track with strong undertones, picking up to a stronger tempo and lyric. This may be a statement responding to the "Arena" and "The Day Before The War" theme. This would be the grief of the day after.
"Turn It Around" feels like more of the same as much of the album. The instrumental "Bella Nova" closes out the album with a nice warm fuzzy happy sound, punctuated by rather sharp drumming.
Taken as a whole, Arena by Asia is the latest in a series of albums by a band that started out of the fine progressive / rock tradition. This reviewer (more familiar with the Asia long gone, the Asia that created Asia and Alpha) was a bit surprised by the sound of this album. This album reminds one of a combination of the old Asia, Steely Dan, and maybe some Boston / Styx / Mike + The Mechanics. This combination produces a much warmer, softer, kinder, gentler sound.
Arena has a number of strong points, and some songs that are quite good, and unique. There are a number of songs that seem to blend into each other or fade to the background as well. This is definitely an album of merit for those who follow the new Asia, and expect the sound. Fans of the old Asia can expect some strong points mixed with some weak ones.
