Track listing
Show track credits
- 1 Valkyrie 5:27
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cello
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- 2 Gravitas 8:01
- 3 The Closer I Get 6:41
- 4 Nyctophobia 5:16
- 5 Russian Dolls 5:10
- 6 Heaven Help Me 5:43
- 7 I Would Die for You 3:20
- 8 Joe DiMaggio's Glove 4:34
- 9 Till We Meet Again 4:05
- Total length: 48:17
Rate/Catalog
Catalog
Set listening
Review
To rate, slide your finger across the stars from left to right.
9 Reviews
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1.1
Valkyrie
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1.2
Gravitas
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1.3
The Closer I Get to You
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1.4
Nyctophobia
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1.5
Russian Dolls
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1.6
Heaven Help Me Now
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1.7
I Would Die for You
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1.8
Joe Di Maggio's Glove
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1.9
Till We Meet Again
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1.10
The Closer I Get to You (Acoustic)
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1.11
Joe Di Maggio's Glove (Acoustic)
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2.1 Valkyrie (Music Video)
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2.2 Making of the Album
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2.3 An Extraordinary Life (Live in Plovdiv)
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2.4 Only Time Will Tell (Live in Plovdiv With the Plovdiv Philharmonic Orchestra)
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2.5 Heat of the Moment (Live in Plovdiv with the Plovdiv Philharmonic Orchestra)
Really in all but name it's a John Wetton and Geoff Downes show. I must say John Wetton sounds great. Carl Palmer hardly noticeable is there in the background doing what he does with restraint and Sam Coulson provides us here and there with some nice solos.
From reading a number of reviews about it I was expecting this to be a bit of a duffer, but after that slightly inauspicious first play I find this to be a repeat listen.
Overall I think it's a worthy album to end on with three solid songs and a few growers like Nyctophobia. It sounds good with nice moments, but will take a few points off for failing to provide anything that could fall into the Asia classic category, but maybe I'll put that on ice for the moment, as there are one or two prospects.
Deluxe edition Digipak includes two bonus tracks, (the acoustic The Closer I Get to you I find particularly fine) and DVD.
Published
FR CDVD 643 CD (2014)
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1
Valkyrie
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2
Gravitas
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3
The Closer I Get
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4
Nyctophobia
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5
Russian Dolls
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6
Heaven Help Me
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7
I Would Die for You
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8
Joe DiMaggio's Glove
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9
Till We Meet Again
Till we meet again John Wetton
This album was hard for me to listen to. Steve Howe couldn't juggle two bands anymore, so he left and was replaced by Sam Coulson. Not as good as Howe, but he does a great job here. This would sadly be John Wetton's final Asia album as he died not long after writing the album's follow up. This is the most progressive Asia album since 2008's Phoenix, and the fact that we see a sea serpent again makes this an unintentional fitting goodbye to the band. This was hard to listen to because there will never be another full Asia album with Wetton again, and this all we've got as a goodbyeWe open on the beautiful pop rock song "Valkyrie". A great song that had a nice music video filmed for it. (It's weird seeing Wetton with a beard in the video) The song is a great opener and shows off Coulson's skill on the guitar decently well. The song itself is catchy, and the harmonies really help make it special. Overall a strong opener and probably the best track. Next is the title track, our first multi-piece composition since Phoenix "Gravitas". It starts with an instrumental section called "Lento". it's fine and does a good job building up the song. The rest of the piece is "Gravitas". It's a great AOR song with plenty of prog leanings. This is a fantastic track, but isn't quite as good as "Valkyrie". The song is a piece where everyone shines, especially Palmer. my only problem is that the harmonies sound way too loud in some parts in the chorus in contrast the instruments. We slow things down with the balled "The Closer I Get". It's a beautiful ballad and is a definite stand out. The harmonies are once again fantastic and the song is catchy too. Overall the album is off to a great start with these first three songs. Next is the song "Nyctophobia". it's a fine AOR song that is a step down from the first three tracks, but it is insanely catchy. A fine track four. track five is "Russian Dolls". It;s another beautiful ballad, this one trying to tell a story, and it does a good job at it, but the chorus breaks the atmosphere. It's fine, but I find it distracting. I think that bogs it down a bit. We have another multiple-piece called "Heaven Help Me". It opens with "Wings of Angels". it starts off with some harmonies before getting to an orchestral sounding part. It builds in intensity before transitioning into another piece called "prelude", witch is a piano based prelude to the next part "Heaven Help Me Now". It's a solid AOR song that has good guitar as well as keys, not to mention that it's very catchy, as well as featuring an awesome solo from Coulson. Overall it's a big highlight and would be a great start to Side B had this been released on Vinyl. I feel like these Asia albums after Omega started getting shorter to help keep things focused and more like their classic stuff. Next is "I Would Die for You"m witch marks the second time a Wetton/Downes solo composition got redone for an Asia album. (The first time being "Finger on the Trigger") This song was actually written in the eighties, presumably for the aborted Asia revival they tried to do.This is a fine AOR song, but in my opinion is the weakest song on here. Afterwards is the acoustic ballad "Joe DiMaggio's Glove". It's a great track, but I feel like this doesn't fit on the album is my opinion and the I don't feel the instrumentation compliments the vocals and lyrics too well. Aside from that I still like it a lot, out of place guitar solo aside. Our closer is surprisingly a fitting send off to the band "Till We Meet Again". While I would have rather have seen them go out in a big blaze of glory in some prog epic featuring the best drumming Palmer has given the band, this bitter sweet song fits too. It's a solid song and has an unorthodox feel, but it is a bitter sweet send off to the band that helped get me where I am now in life, even if it wasn't intentional.
I want to mention that I cried listening to the closing track for the first time, because it almost like my favorite band was personally telling me goodbye. I felt like an emotional roller-coaster. The band's music was a major source of healing and positivity in my life. So this was like them telling me goodbye and how their music helped me in life. That's how it felt to me, and again, music is all about the emotion and feelings it invokes. That's what it invoked in me.
So this was an emotional ride, but the album is over and probably so to is the chance for any new albums from the group. If they choose to record one with whatever singer they have filling Wetton's shoes I'll be here to review it and talk about it with an open mind. A must for Asia fans and one of their more solid releases. Rest in peace John Wetton, and thanks for everything
Published
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Arguable release, I predict that Gravitas will divide the listeners on two category; the notorious lovers/haters sides. Personally, after the several spins I have inclined to praise them instead of nagging them. First of all, the album not intended to strict metalheads or folks who hunting after heavy sound, it is purely the follow-up of XXX and Silent Nation with the same soft direction. Pop rock, in fact, if call a spade as a spade. Most of the tracks are without any sharp edges at all, the sound is very polished and even unpretentious. Forget about any progressive tricks or complex musical layers with this one; the things here have a quite straight-forward character, while not without the gorgeous flavor. Nevertheless, I approve their heavy-free approaches, songs such as Nyctophobia and Russian Dolls are pretty listenable and inspired a little bit. In the same time, the ending part of this album is quite weak and colorless. So, again, this is all about your musical style choice, take it or leave it as if on a huge AOR shop. As for me personaly, I'll choose a Russian Doll of course.
Published
Gravitas is quite unfairly maligned. Sure, Sam Coulson is nowhere near the guitarist of Steve Howe, but he still fits with Asia's AOR sound. If it's writing that might concern listeners, then I'll remind them there is worse songwriting on Omega than here. In fact, Wetton seems in fine form in that aspect, with only "Joe Dimaggio's Glove" being a bit questionable.
I think the problem is that this came out right after XXX, which was a career highlight up there with the debut and Phoenix. It is a tough act to follow, especially with a new guitarist that is almost four decades younger than the rest of the band.
Truth is, "Valkyrie" is one of their best songs (I really like that cello line throughout), and while there are some throwaway songs like "Russian Dolls", it is nice to see the progressive touches once again encroaching, such as Geoff Downes's keyboard solo at the beginning of "Gravitas" or the orchestration on "Heaven Help Me Now".
It is also telling that a number of lyrics, like on XXX, deal with mortality. It makes one wonder how long John Wetton was preparing to die over the last few years of his career, as even the songs not about death itself seem to be attempts to tie up loose ends.
And, alas, this was the last Asia album with Wetton, as he died in January 2017. At the time I'm writing this he has been replaced by Billy Sherwood (I was wondering if Downes would make an attempt to get John Payne back in the group, but doesn't appear so). I would say at this point it's a good chance this is the last we will hear from Asia, but this band has a habit of enduring.
I think the problem is that this came out right after XXX, which was a career highlight up there with the debut and Phoenix. It is a tough act to follow, especially with a new guitarist that is almost four decades younger than the rest of the band.
Truth is, "Valkyrie" is one of their best songs (I really like that cello line throughout), and while there are some throwaway songs like "Russian Dolls", it is nice to see the progressive touches once again encroaching, such as Geoff Downes's keyboard solo at the beginning of "Gravitas" or the orchestration on "Heaven Help Me Now".
It is also telling that a number of lyrics, like on XXX, deal with mortality. It makes one wonder how long John Wetton was preparing to die over the last few years of his career, as even the songs not about death itself seem to be attempts to tie up loose ends.
And, alas, this was the last Asia album with Wetton, as he died in January 2017. At the time I'm writing this he has been replaced by Billy Sherwood (I was wondering if Downes would make an attempt to get John Payne back in the group, but doesn't appear so). I would say at this point it's a good chance this is the last we will hear from Asia, but this band has a habit of enduring.
Published
FR CDVD 643 CD (2014)
The weakest Asia album since the reunion
Phoenix was a masterpiece, Omega was excellent, XXX was fresh and full of quality songs, but Gravitas is the first album of the whole Asia career which does not fulfill my expectations. I've been a huge fan all these years, but this is their first album that leaves me cold.Valkyrie and Gravitas are excellent, but all the other tracks are not something special. Especially ballads like "Russian Dolls " and "The Closer I Get to You " are really bland . They really don''t belong to an Asia album...
The band seems like they have lost their fire.
Gone is the bombastic sound of the three first outstanding Asia albums. Gone is the "wall" of keyboards, the thundering Carl Palmer drumming, the Steve Howe unique guitar sound. Gone are the huge John Wetton multiple vocals.
John Wetton and Geoff Downes gave us 6 outstanding albums in a row...three Icons and three Asia...I'll always be grateful for that and for all their great music so far...
But Gravitas is very soft and lacks energy and inspiration. It is certainly not in the good direction for Asia.
Some very good songs are mixed together with some very easy listening, dull ballads.
I think if the band continues, they must find a good producer and engineer for the next album, someone who can represent the huge Asia sound like the mighty Mike Stone did in the past. Asia is a phenomenal band and deserves so much more.
Published
The new blood fit Asia well. This new album, while not pretending on being a masterpiece, is full of memorable songs, with very few fillers. Valkyrie, Russian Dolls and Heaven Help Me Now could be their best rock-oriented songs after their reunion.
Published
Gravitas finds Asia with a new guitarist as Sam Coulson replaces Steve Howe. Howe, who left on good terms this time, brought character to his guitar work that Coulson does not. Coulson does fine in the roll but sounds like a million other guitar players. While Howe didn't write tons of songs for Asia he could always be counted on for a couple of tunes to break up the John Wetton/Geoff Downes stranglehold. That is also missing from Gravitas.
Putting that aside, Wetton and Downes do come up with some solid tunes. Valkyrie, the title track, and Nyctophobia are all quite strong. The remainder of the tunes are solid classic rock with the occasional prog flourish.
Carl Palmer is quite restrained. No, the songs don't require the most intricate drum work but it also doesn't push Palmer either. Instrumentally, Downes seems to be the guy who carries the load. His keyboard work is layered and well thought out. While Wetton may not rip off the incredible bass lines as he did with King Crimson, his voice is in great shape. Gravitas might have some of the best singing of his career.
Downes and Wetton's production is also quite good and Gravitas is well recorded. With a few better tunes this could have been a 4 star or higher album. As it is, it's not bad. It's no great departure from what they've done in the past. It's really what you would expect from an Asia album.
Putting that aside, Wetton and Downes do come up with some solid tunes. Valkyrie, the title track, and Nyctophobia are all quite strong. The remainder of the tunes are solid classic rock with the occasional prog flourish.
Carl Palmer is quite restrained. No, the songs don't require the most intricate drum work but it also doesn't push Palmer either. Instrumentally, Downes seems to be the guy who carries the load. His keyboard work is layered and well thought out. While Wetton may not rip off the incredible bass lines as he did with King Crimson, his voice is in great shape. Gravitas might have some of the best singing of his career.
Downes and Wetton's production is also quite good and Gravitas is well recorded. With a few better tunes this could have been a 4 star or higher album. As it is, it's not bad. It's no great departure from what they've done in the past. It's really what you would expect from an Asia album.
Published
FR CDVD 643 CD (2014)
ANOTHER EXCELLENT ASIA ALBUM!
Fresh blood in the band and fresh music for the old sharks of melodic prog!In fact,the prog music is gone here,but the inspiration is still present in the compositions of the guys!Nice solos from the young guitarist in the band,wonderful production too,amazing artwork again-the SPECIAL EDITION with DVD is great!!!4STSRS !Published
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Catalog
25 Apr 2024
7 Mar 2024
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1
Valkyrie
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2
Gravitas
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3
The Closer I Get
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4
Nyctophobia
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5
Russian Dolls
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6
Heaven Help Me
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7
I Would Die for You
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8
Joe DiMaggio's Glove
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9
Till We Meet Again
4 Mar 2024
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1
Valkyrie
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2
Gravitas
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3
The Closer I Get
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4
Nyctophobia
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5
Russian Dolls
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6
Heaven Help Me
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7
I Would Die for You
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8
Joe DiMaggio's Glove
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9
Till We Meet Again
11 Feb 2024
29 Jan 2024
8 Dec 2023
5 Dec 2023
3 Dec 2023
26 Nov 2023
19 Nov 2023
19 Nov 2023
22 Oct 2023
23 Sep 2023
19 Sep 2023
9 Sep 2023
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