ARCHIVA 1

A release like this is almost by definition for fans and collectors only. The two Archiva compilations (continuing the tradition of having titles begin and end with the letter A) gather together some leftovers from early John Payne-era Asia i.e. the 90's. If you have the studio albums Aqua, Aria and Arena you will have a pretty good idea of the type of music involved here. If you rate those albums highly and you want more of the same, Archiva 1 & 2 are worthy additions to your collection. If you don't have those three studio albums, I would certainly not start with these compilations before getting those original albums.

Most of the songs here are typical of this era of Asia and as such are moderately interesting. A.L.O sticks out, however. It was apparently written for some latter day Electric Light Orchestra- related project and it certainly sounds like it! It is quite awful, actually!

Fight Against The Tide is a good song that would not have been out of place on the albums of the era, and the short acoustic numbers The Mariner's Dream and Ginger are very nice. The latter being by Steve Howe, and like everything he ever did, it has his signature sound.

As I said, if you are interested is 90's Asia get the original studio albums first. The two Archiva sets are really only for fans and collectors.

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