AURA

This is a very good MELODIC ROCK album that gets a bit dragged down by its existing track order. In its original form, the album seems to suffer from too many similar mid-to-slow tempo songs one after another.

However, if you re-sequence the tracks to create some ups and downs in the overall dynamic, there can be a much more satisfying flow to your listening experience.

First off, you'll want to find a copy of the original Digi-Pack version with "bonus" tracks. Oddly enough, it's the three bonus tracks that are closest to the classic ASIA sound.

Anyway-- Below is the track order that I suggest. Hope you enjoy it.

Hands of Time... Forgive Me... Come Make My Day... Free...

The Last Time... Wherever You Are... Aura... Ready to Go Home...

Awake... The Longest Night... Under the Gun...

You're the Stranger... On the Coldest Day in Hell... Kings of the Day

Unfortunately, the best song recorded during these sessions, titled "Never the Way", was only available on an exclusive ASIA fan club CD from 2001 called ARMADA 1.

2 stars on the Prog-o-meter

4 stars on the Personal-taste-meter

2 stars overall for this site.