In 1982, I rocked out to Asia's self-titled debut with such hits as Heat of the Moment, Only Time Will Tell and Sole Survivor, but over subsequent years, I didn't pay the greatest attention to the band and they slowly faded into pleasant memories. So, with more than a little trepidation, I listened to the title track from Asia's 2004 release - Silent Nation. Could they recreate in me that feeling of youth? Could a band not relevant for 20 years, once again excite me and make me love them? If you've read my review of Paul's mix, you know the answer to both questions was a resounding and definite yes and I had to have the album. By far the strongest track, Silent Nation begins quietly, slowing building with a plucking guitar and keyboards until the drums, guitars and vocals awaken with a jolt and my socks are rocked completely off. Released in August of 2004, this track appears eerily prophetic of the November U.S. election results: "Have to find a hideaway, so turn up the neighbours, the eagle is listening today. It's not up to me, to change what has been done. It's not up to me, a speechless world looks on. It just has to be! Silent nation." This rock infused track is the centre, both literally and figuratively, of an album which delves into political and social issues. Sometimes there's a slightly angry tone, at other times a desperate plea for change, but always there's a demand that we look at ourselves and this world around us delivered in a musical package that delights and entertains me.

Racism is explored in the touching and almost painful (but not slowly paced) What About Love, "You choose your brother, if he looks the same. You dirty white boy, it's all for gain. But I know what you know, so I won't let this go. What about love? And the human race? What about love? It's a different face. What about love? Why can't we embrace? I've got to know, I want to know." As with most of the album, the classic rock feel is definitely here, reminding me a little of Styx with great guitar work and drums that I absolutely can't resist moving to. Invading and conquering of lands, including North America, is tackled in the slightly slower but still rocking, Long Way From Home. "Firewater in the blood, took away the livelihood. Giving thanks every single year. Who the hell owns this land? Is it God or is it man? With the blood we draw the line again." The environmental protest of the keyboard driven Midnight warns us, if we continue on the path we are on, the earth is running out of time, "They put away the DDT, but gave metal to the sea. A hundred years can't wait, A hundred years can't wait, Another day.... Midnight, draws ever near. Daylight, is fading so fast. We're so close to midnight." After three hard(ish) driving rock songs, things are in danger of becoming a bit too same-y but there is a break coming.

The rock takes a step back now for the slower, melodic Blue Moon Monday in which mankind's warlike tendencies are addressed once again, "Whenever I sleep, I wake into a world. After the war, cities turned to sand. We live underground, ever since the fall. Nations erased, programmed bloody years ago." John Payne's vocals throughout the album are fantastic but in this song his pleading, plaintive voice is absolutely perfect. I can feel his frustrations, his fears, his incomprehension of why we do these things to ourselves and our home.

The first half of the album seems to point the finger outward at the world while the latter half turns introspective for answers. The harmonious, keyboard based Ghost in the Mirror has us wondering who that reflection is we see each day. What has he become? When did he become a stranger? This is my least favourite track of Silent Nation, it just doesn't get inside my head as well as the others (although I never skip it.) The lovely, painful ballad Gone Too Far fearfully asks the titular question, "Have we gone too far? In a world so scarred. Have we gone too far? Dream away." At first glance I Will Be There For You seemed a bit out of place on this album. Not musically -- it has that same classic rock sound I love (although it does move a tad toward power pop here) -- but lyrically. The track appeared to be a love song, but on further examination I see it as the reflections of a person who has faced himself and made some decisions, "I am so much wiser now. I live so fast, I must slow down. Forget the past, forgive me world." The last two tracks appear to move toward a spiritual tone. Darkness Day begins with what could easily be mistaken for monks chanting. Then it becomes the heaviest and darkest sounding song of the album with Payne almost snarling the words at times and the guitars creating an ominous sense of doom. The Prophet ends the album on a pleading, cryptic note. I don't claim to have deciphered exactly what the song means, but the despair - and hope - come through clearly. "We sail today, into the sun. To the place where life began. From the sea, into the soul. Tell Mother Earth to conquer all."

Overall, this album is far above average but something holds me back from awarding a full five stars (four and a half would be my chosen option if I could.) At times the music can get a bit monotonous, with the drums slightly more prominent than I would like them, but the fantastic guitar and keyboard work more than compensate. Payne's vocals are brilliant with lyrics that are thoughtful, meaningful and obviously heart-felt. If I had never heard Asia before this album I would still love it, the sound is solid rock, fun and it contains some thought-provoking messages. The bonus here is, Silent Nation gives me the rock I loved twenty years ago while, at the same time, providing a maturity through it's lyrics that I hope to have also attained during those subsequent years. It doesn't happen very often, but once in a while we can recapture the magic of our youth; while this album isn't perfect, it comes closer to achieving that than anything I've heard in a long time.


Great Music to Play While: Reliving my youth and wishing I'd known then what I know now.


Asia - Silent Nation - 4.5 out of 5
InsideOutMusic - 2004

Tracks:
What About Love
Long Way From Home
Midnight
Blue Moon Monday
Silent Nation
Ghost in the Mirror
Gone Too Far
I Will Be There For You
Darkness Day
The Prophet

Geoff Downes - Keyboards and percussion
John Payne - Vocals, bass and guitar
Guthrie Govan - Guitars
Chris Slade - Drums

http://www.asiaworld.org/

* Quoted lyrics copyright John Payne and Geoff Downes except "I Will Be There For You" copyright John Payne, Geoff Downes and Billy Sherwood


Recommended:
Yes