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Gravitas
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Gravitas
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Editorial Reviews
32 years after their wildly popular self-titled debut album's release, the legendary British rock band, ASIA returns with a brand new studio album entitled Gravitas. This album introduces new guitarist Sam Coulson who was recommended to the band by none other than Paul Gilbert of Mr. Big. The new album is being hailed as their best album since its classic early '80s releases
Product details
- Language : English
- Product Dimensions : 5.69 x 5.24 x 0.38 inches; 3.68 Ounces
- Manufacturer : FRONTIERS MUSIC SRL
- Item model number : FRCD643
- Original Release Date : 2017
- Date First Available : January 30, 2014
- Label : FRONTIERS MUSIC SRL
- ASIN : B00HZOBD3M
- Number of discs : 1
- Best Sellers Rank: #424,949 in CDs & Vinyl (See Top 100 in CDs & Vinyl)
- #7,161 in Progressive Rock
- #227,714 in Pop (CDs & Vinyl)
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Coulson's integration into the band gives Gravitas a sound unlike that of the original lineup; it actually does sound like "Astra" in places, but frankly Coulson is a more proficient and melodic guitarist than Mandy Meyer was, and while Gravitas is certainly harder-edged musically than the other reunion albums, the introspective, spiritual and thoughtful tone that Asia has developed continues to unwind itself into their music. The result is a unique album and - this fan hopes - indications that there is more to come.
As with all of my other reviews, here is each song on the Special Edition CD, rated 1-5. (I have left the DVD off here.)
VALKYRIE - 5.0. One of the five best songs this band has recorded. It's almost too simple, but man does it work. Maturity suits Asia very well. Sam Coulson's first chance to showcase his abilities is extremely well executed and Carl Palmer's drums are at their very best.
GRAVITAS - 4.1. An angry anthem at the end of an unfortunate relationship. The intro runs about two minutes in length - almost too long - but the anger, bitterness and resignation are palpable in the lyrics.
THE CLOSER I GET TO YOU - 4.2. This song was almost too slow for me; it needed to grow on me before I could give it an accurate reading. I'm still not sure I have it right, however. As with the previous song, the speaker is looking down the barrel at the end of a love affair, but in this case, the ending is not entirely what he wants. There is a sense of paralysis to this song that rings more true to life - inertia is more stable than the frame of mind described in the title track, and fits more with the life of quiet desperation that so many people really lead.
NYCTOPHOBIA - 4.7. Time for some fun. This is a clever, almost amusing take on one man's fear of the dark and how it affects his life. The music is the closest thing Asia's ever done to a Halloween song. Easy song to like.
RUSSIAN DOLLS - 4.7. A song about a soldier in the old Soviet Union, cold-war era, who is stationed far from his home and the love of his life, returning after a long time away. The train whistle, the lightness of the keyboard riffs simulating snowfall, and Palmer's drumming emphasize the railway station setting and paint a very specific place and time for this piece. I really, really like this one.
HEAVEN HELP ME NOW - 3.4. I have the same problem with this song that I had with "Judas" on XXX, compounded with the same problem I had with "The Prophet" from Alternate-Timeline Asia's Silent Nation. It's not a bad song. It just blends in so much with the rest of the album that I don't really notice it, and when I do, it just doesn't come across as being particularly memorable. The intro, "Wings of Angels," is to me the best part of the song.
I WOULD DIE FOR YOU - 2.9. It's appropriate that a song from the "Astra" era would make its way on here. It's not terrible, and it is certainly good enough to have displaced some of the actual songs on that album. Still, it never turned up on Then and Now, and wasn't on the first Icon record, so I have to wonder about this one. I just don't think it fits here very well, though - its presence and lyrics sort of make the band's growth all the more apparent.
JOE DIMAGGIO'S GLOVE - 4.4. A song about the transformative power of romantic love, even late in life. The speaker in this song is definitely a tough old codger, someone who has little and needs less, trying to come to grips with the realization of being in love. When I saw the title of this song, I thought it was a reach, and I still do, but it's much less of one than I at first believed. Very thoughtful, soulful and well-delivered. Wetton's vocal performance is his best on the album, except perhaps for the opener.
TILL WE MEET AGAIN - 4.5. Asia may finally have a new show-closer. This song is their take on an Irish farewell, and it sounds GREAT. Lyrically, it's a little contrived and a little short of what it could have been; a couple of weeks' work on the lyrical side to deepen it out could have made this a 5.
The two bonus tracks are remixes of "The Closer I Get To You" and "Joe DiMaggio's Glove." They're actually very similar to the final mixes; there's much less of a sharp difference than we saw with "I Know How You Feel" from XXX. I don't think they really add a lot to the album, but there wasn't much addition needed. I would have preferred an all-acoustic "Till We Meet Again," myself.
Overall, Gravitas is a solid album, better than Astra, about equal in my mind to the debut and Phoenix, with some clearly superior work. The best thing about this album, though, is the direction the band chose to take - after what happened with Astra commercially, it would have been easy for Wetton, Downes and Palmer to avoid going in a similar direction this time - yet they did. Sam Coulson is better for Asia's sound than Meyer was, not to hate on Meyer. I look forward to their next album: we will finally know what the follow-up to Astra was supposed to sound like. Assuming that the guys stay together this time, I guarantee you it won't be as hideous as Aqua was.
Remember, folks: you can't spell "Gravitas" without "Astra."
How do we describe "Gravitas", the album? I think the word is, reliable. You expect a certain sound from Asia: soaring keyboard passages, lyrical guitar and percussion work, and Wetton's booming baritone throughout, often layered in tight harmonies. If you like this sort of thing—and I obviously do—it's like ambrosia, and getting a taste of it every few years…yes, it makes life wonderful. Dare I say, extraordinary. It pleases me to say that while "Gravitas" doesn't rock quite as hard as its predecessors, it does quite well, thank you, and stakes out some different ground as well. I hear some "Dark Side of the Moon" era sounding keyboard stuff, which is not a bad thing at all, and perhaps a Supertramp or Foreigner or even Daryl Hall nod here and there, especially in "Nyktophobia", one of the standout tracks.
"Valkyrie" is the single, and it's wonderful, but probably my favorite tune on the album is "The Closer I Get to You", which is not only outstandingly written but passionately sung. This is the sort of thing I enjoy listening to Wetton sing…he remains one of my favorite voices in music and his instrument is so wonderfully expressive. Another piece of the Wetton canon that I would dearly love to be able to perform myself. As with the previous album, "XXX", there are a couple of bonus tracks, and one is an "acoustic" version of "The Closer I Get to You" which is just KILLER. I think this will be one of those songs like "Don't Cry" and "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes" that John and Geoff Downes will do on stage just the two of them. Understated, and gripping.
Probably Asia purists will wonder just what influence Sam Coulson has on the album. Truthfully, the answer is: not much…and that may well be by design. He is allowed a certain amount of freedom, methinks, and his solos are powerful without being overwhelming. He doesn't sound like Steve Howe, because only Steve Howe is Steve Howe. If anything, Sam C may put the longtime Asia fans in mind of Mandy Meyer, the guitar player on "Astra". A harder edge, perhaps, but not in a beat-you-over-the-head-with-the-axe sort of way. I like his work, and I am hoping we'll get to hear more of him in future Asia efforts. Interestingly, stickman extraordinaire Carl Palmer seems a bit down in the mix as well, so maybe it's just the somewhat subdued nature of the work as a whole. Odd though, considering that Wetton said this was going to be a harder-edged Asia…but never mind.
We should savor this. With the release of "Gravitas" we've now been blessed to have four—FOUR!—new Asia records in the past six years, not counting live shows, and with any luck they'll keep up for at least one or two more. Three (make that FOUR!) hugely talented musicians that have shared themselves for 30+ years and show no signs of backing off. Remarkable.
Top reviews from other countries
'Gravitas' sees Wetton and Downes coming to the fore once again and delivering another set of finely crafted, accessible melodic rock songs with the odd progressive rock flourish.
Opening track 'Valkyrie' is a real earworm of a song. It's classic Asia and once it takes a hold of you, it won't let go for days. I've been humming it constantly for nearly two weeks. The title track is a good eight-minuter, with soaring vocal harmonies and a driving rhythm section.
'The Closer I Get to You' is one of the strongest tracks on offer. A traditional, emotionally driven Asia-style ballad with plenty of majesty. It sits nicely alongside some of their strongest material and should become something of a fan favourite. 'Joe DiMaggio's Glove' is another slick ballad, beautifully sung by Wetton.
My favourite tracks on 'Gravitas', along with the aforementioned 'Valkyrie' and 'The Closer I Get to You' are the lively 'Heaven Help Me Now' and the bright and breezy finale, 'Till We Meet Again'. To be honest though, there isn't really a dull moment on this album. 'Gravitas' sounds great and has arguably the best production of any record in the Asia catalogue. Roger Dean's artwork completes what is a very satisfying package indeed.
In terms of individual performances, obviously the focus is on Steve Howe's replacement, Sam Coulson. It's obvious that on this album, his role is to supply some straight ahead rhythm guitar and weigh in with a big solo as and when required. When he comes to the fore, his playing is very much in the same vein as Pat Thrall and Al Pitrelli when they were in the band. However, there are some moments during the title track and the ballads that seem to be crying out for some of Steve Howe's guitarwork and at times, I feel Coulson is holding back slightly. On future albums, I'd like to hear him adding some acoustic guitar, expressing himself a bit more and really letting rip, because the talent is definitely there. All that being said, considering he's only a young man, he delivers a solid, mature debut with plenty of potential.
As for the other members, John Wetton, as ever, delivers a masterclass of soulful and earnest vocal performances, along with beautiful, fluid bass playing. Carl Palmer's drums are more rhythm based; less erratic than usual and more focused, allowing the songs to really flow. Geoff Downes keyboards are sumptuous, with classical chops and symphonic flourishes by the bucketload.
'Gravitas' is an album that I liken to 'Alpha' and 'Aria' in terms of it's mood, tone and emotional depth. It's a good fifty minute record that doesn't outstay it's welcome. I've knocked a star off due to Howe's presence being missed here and there and for some of the lazy fadeouts on a couple of tracks (check out Magnum's 'Escape From The Shadow Garden' if you want to hear how to end songs properly). Other than that, anyone that's enjoyed Asia's output since 2008 will have plenty to enjoy here and fans of the band in general will lap it up. It's good stuff.
John Wetton and Geoff Downes penned all nine tracks on this album and John Wetton and Geoff Downes handle production duties (taking over from Mike Paxman who was at the controls for the last two albums). One song 'I would die for you' harks back to the 80s but otherwise it's a mixed bag of new compositions circa 2013. Opening up with the fast paced and harmonious 'Valkyrie' complete with trademark cello licks (Katinka Kleijn taking over from Hugh McDowell) and sumptuous harmonies, you instantly feel on safe Asia ground. New guitarist Sam Coulson is let off the leash at around the four minute mark and instantly you know the Asia sound is back with us, even if he's been strangely silent for the previous four minutes. Next up is the title track 'Gravitas' another anthemic track, split into two parts and then the stonking ballad 'The closer I get to you' (reprised as a bonus acoustic version). 'Nyctophobia' (what?? looked it up in the dictionary and it means 'fear of the dark', didn't know that before so I have learnt something!) is a quirky number followed by my least favourite track 'Russian Dolls'. 'Heaven help me now' has a prelude intro to it before the chord and chorus roll out; a definite highlight and this is followed by the 80s rocker 'I would die for you' which has Carl Palmer drumming like fury. The strangely titled 'Joe DiMaggio's Glove' is probably the only song that will ever be written with that title but it's a nice mid-tempo song also reprised in acoustic style. 'Till we meet again' is the last track and this is a title that has been used previously as a song title. The song here however is nothing like the Chicago song 'Till we meet again' and instead is a stomping anthem, not one of my favourites on this album however.
So in summary a patchy album with nice guitar solos spread across the tracks from Sam Coulson but, as other reviewers have commented, these feel somewhat slotted in. I'm giving 3.5 stars as I love Asia, but of the four albums recorded since John Wetton rejoined Geoff Downes to reform the original Asia, this is probably my least favourite and actually ranking behind the excellent three Wetton/Downes albums.
Am besten finde ich noch die ruhigeren Songs wie "The closer i get to you", "Russian Dolls"," Heaven help me now" und "Joe Maggio's Glove", wobei für mich der beste Song des Albums "The closer i get to you" ist. Hier kommt in den sechseinhalb Minuten eine schöne Melodie mit auch mehrstimmigem Gesang und einer tollen Gitarre zum tragen.
Trotzdem hat man das Gefühl alles irgendwie schon einmal gehört zu haben. So erinnert mich z.B. der Gesang in "Joe Di Maggios Glove" sehr an die Ballade "Heroine" auf dem "Phoenix" Album.
Fazit: Die Kreativität ist ja sehr lobenswert, wenn man bedenkt, dass alle zwei Jahre ein neues Album von Asia erscheint, und zudem dazwischen noch die eine oder andere Solo Scheibe von John Wetton.
Aber irgendwie wünscht man sich doch mal die eine oder andere Veränderung finde ich.
Wobei das Album wirklich nicht schlecht ist und meine Kaufempfehlung bekommt.
Aber Überraschungen bleiben aus. Insgesamt gesehen kommt es für mich nicht ganz an die drei Vorgänger Alben heran.
The Album is recommended if you enjoy bands like the Moody Blues "70'S Stuff. Pink Floyd , Keane and Coldplay also spring to mind with a bit of Van Halen thrown in for good measure with the guitar style of Sam Coulson. Mostly its a good quality Album called Gravitas that has the ASIA stamp on it. Recommended