AQUA

Exit John Wetton, welcome John Payne. When I bought this album in 1992, I didn't even know John Wetton left the band... and what a change. The style is much darker with less rock songs and more ballads/mellow songs. I cannot say the new sound is better or worse than early Asia, it's just different.

The opener "Aqua I" is a beautiful instrumental with Steve Howe giving a great guitar performance. "Who Will Stop The Rain" is a nice rocker. "Heaven On Earth", "Someday" and "Love Under Fire" are nice mid paced songs with a dark atmosphere. "Crime Of The Heart" is a gentle ballad. "Don't Call Me" is another ballad, but this time a heavier power ballad. "The Voice Of Reason" starts softly then the rhythm changes and the song turns into a pop song. "Aqua II" is a short instrumental - a correct track to close the album. Unfortunately there are really weak songs too on this album - in particular "Lay Down Your Arms" (very cheesy) and "Back In Town" (sounding *much* too familiar to be an original composition).

Rating: 85/100