[.ca] Aura

THE BEST UNKNOWN ALBUM THERE IS:
This album is just incredible, every song on this CD is filled with Compassion. Every song on this album has a very similar sound, A GOOD ONE, the rhythm is amazing, i especially like the keyboard solo in AWAKE, and all the others as well. I believe this cd along with some other new Asia is better than the old albums, it is a whole new sound. It is nearly impossible to pick a favorite of the album but i think Ready to Go Home is my favorite because it is just flawless and beautiful. Anybody who knows good music would love this album, if you do not think this album is spectacular, YOU DONT KNOW GOOD MUSIC!!

Simply elegant:
"You're simply elegant" like The Cure said. Anyone who gives this album less then 5 stars is no fan of prog-rock music, this album just rocks, the same high quality material as Arena, go and get it now, you won't regret it. Suggested for veteran Asia fans and anyone who just simple like to listen to GOOD music that is perfectly put together. NO FILLERS. Can't give it less then 5 marks, though Arena is my fav from the band, this one comes really close.

Basic Rock:
This album starts quite boringly...Awake is quite good but it has not that speed I would like to the opening track have. The next song is ever green "Wherever You Are". This is a great song! The next two ones "Ready..." and "The Last Time" are a little bit more difficult ones than "Wherever..." but almost as good ones. The next great track is "King of the Day" but also "Free" which is quite long but it has some kind of elements like for example a Finnish band "Stratovarius" has. "Forgive Me" is also a touching track. The rest of the tracks are from other planet...but this album is a must for all Asia TRUE fans.

Absolute Crap:
This sounds like a bowel movement. Cheesy, simplistic, unimaginative crap. I sit my beer on it. It's not even a good coaster.

A good piece of work:
Aura--Asia's seventh full-length album--was released in 2001. Clocking in at almost eighty minutes, it is comprised of 14 tracks--the last three are extra tracks ("Under the Gun," "Come Make My Day," "Hands of Time"). There is also an instrumental, the energetic "Aura." Altogether, I find the songwriting to be solid, the musicianship to be skilled, and the sound quality to be gratifying. Geoff Downes, my favorite keyboardist, performs with proficiency throughout. In comparison with the guitar playing, Downes' keyboard work takes a more primary role. John Payne does an efficient job with the vocals. It is obvious that a lot of work was put into the making of Aura; the material is refined, stately, and layered. It is not easy to categorize this album into a specific musical direction. I would have to say that it is a combination of pop rock, adult contemporary, and New Age. Even though I think that all of the tracks are worthy, the two that I consider to be favorites are "Awake" and "Ready to Go Home." The majestic confection "Awake" presents ambient, serene keyboard atmospherics from Downes and also a flowing, pretty keyboard solo from him. "Ready to Go Home" is a touching, special song that displays impressive, determined singing from Payne and a pleasing, emotional refrain. Examples of other compositions that I enjoy are "Wherever You Are," "Kings of the Day," "Free," and "Under the Gun." "Wherever You Are" sports a nice intro keyboard melody from Downes, a well-crafted, noteworthy guitar solo, and a pleasant refrain. "Kings of the Day" features attractive keyboard playing from Downes and an engaging refrain. "Free" is an epic, grand piece with notable arrangements, and "Under the Gun" displays an indelibly beautiful keyboard line from Downes. The CD packaging includes the song lyrics to all of the songs except for the last three extra tracks. Aura is a recommendable album from Asia.

• Awake
• Wherever You Are
• Ready To Go Home
• The Last Time
• Forgive Me
• Kings Of The Day
• On The Coldest Day In Hell
• Free
• You're The Stranger
• The Longest Night
• Aura
• Under The Gun
• Come Make My Day
• Hands Of Time