GRAVITAS

What makes an album is good? I think it relies on how you look at it instead of the musical quality per se. For me personally, music is emotion. It touches something very substance in people's mind and in my case also heart. When Asia was first formed in the 80s all ears were focusing on how the music would sound like as most of members were coming from pioneers of prog with bands like ELP, Yes, King Crimson. People expected very high but forgot that the real intent of the members to create Asia as project was for them to take a refresh mind by making something else other than prog. So when it was launched there were many people disappointed as they asked question like: where is the PROG element? I was disappointed as well at first listen.

But then I took another standpoint by forgetting who actually played in the band and reposition Asia as a straight forward rock band and BOOM! I like it. Of course Time Again and Wildest Dreams as my favorites. But overall the album was quite good for my ears. The melody as well as chorus lines were all OK to my ears. And now I am facing this new album by Asia named as "Gravitas" with major disappointment not because of the composition or performance - yes both components are not good as well. The chief disappointing factor with this album is that it has lost its soul. There is nothing such as the nuances of legendary prog masters. Well that should be fine ...and I reposition it already this album as an AOR kind of music style. But the music fails to prove me the good quality of it unless one thing: the stunning guitar work by the new boy. I think ...almost all songs are weak but the guitar solos are almost all great. The only song that deserves good rating is the album title "Gravitas" where it has stunning guitar solo. Most of songs have very weak and damn boring chorus line. It's really waste of time listening to this album. Actually "I Would Die For You" is potentially a good track ...but again ... the chorus line is so boring ....

Overall, I would not recommend this album not because of bad composition but more on the lost of soul in the music. Keep on proggin' ...!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW