Once in a long while, a musical synergy erupts that leaves a mark for generations. Asias initial incarnation pooled together the considerable talents of past members of such legendary groups as Yes, King Crimson, Roxy Music, Uriah Heep and EL&P. After 7 studio albums, and 4 greatest hits compilations, Asia released Aura in February 2001. This album produced what a great number of fans have called the most creative Asia record ever, and garnered some of the finest reviews the band has ever received. Silent Nation, a deliberate return to the rock roots from which Asia was born, is the 2004 follow up to Aura. With solid rock tracks like Ghost In The Mirror and What About Love, Silent Nation is poised to bring Asias distinctive brand of music back to the masses. Silent Nation also heralds the first album released under Asias new record label, Inside Out Music.
The Special Edition comes with enhanced booklet and luxurious packaging, including bonus DVD which features the making of Silent Nation documentary.
Silent Nation,Asia,Inside Out U.S.,Album Rock,Arena Rock,Pop,Prog-Rock/Art Rock,Rock,Rock/Pop
Silent Nation [Limited Edition] [Special Edition]
Average customer rating:
|
Silent Nation
Asia Manufacturer: Inside Out U.S. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00029CYGW Release Date: 2004-08-31 |
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
Album Description
Once in a long while, a musical synergy erupts that leaves a mark for generations. Asia's initial incarnation pooled together the considerable talents of past members of such legendary groups as Yes, King Crimson, Roxy Music, Uriah Heep and EL&P. After 7 studio albums, and 4 greatest hits compilations, Asia released Aura in February 2001. This album produced what a great number of fans have called the most creative Asia record ever, and garnered some of the finest reviews the band has ever received. Silent Nation, a deliberate return to the rock roots from which Asia was born, is the 2004 follow up to Aura. With solid rock tracks like Ghost In The Mirror and What About Love, Silent Nation is poised to bring Asia's distinctive brand of music back to the masses. Silent Nation also heralds the first album released under Asia's new record label, Inside Out Music.The Special Edition comes with enhanced booklet and luxurious packaging, including bonus DVD which features the making of Silent Nation documentary.
Customer Reviews:
Welcome Back.......2007-01-12
Good Solid Rocker.......2007-01-08
I am shocked at the lack of appreciation for this album.......2006-08-08
I will admit that Asia will never recapture the sound on their first three discs without the original members, but one must be crazy to deny that some of their work with Payne in the 90's has been consistent through and through. Silent Nation is without doubt the darkest and most unique album in their catalog. Geoff Downes, the only original member, may be displaying his most linear synth playing in the band yet, opting for more direct yet also arresting tones. The music is no where near the symphonic pop rock once it was; on the contrary, almost all the songs are built on Payne's rich voice and Downess' textured playing. Their songwriting still recalls the band's 80's pop rock anthems with huge choruses and memorable melodies. Songs like the finely arranged "What About Love" and the strongly melodic "Long Way from Home" are chock full of beautiful synth and piano melodies, deeply moving vocal harmonies, and some crunchy guitar accents.
New guitarist Guthrie Govan is a welcome addition to the lineup, as he supplies incredible guitar work that was noticably missing on their previous release. Besides playing indelible solos, he also brings a great melodic sensibility and mirage-like guitars that are planted beneath Downess' first-class synth patches. The absolutely smashing ballad "Blue Moon Monday" would become an instant hit if there was any justice in the music business, as it ranks up right there with their best songs ever. Despite the composition seeming very planned out, Payne's nuanced and expressive singing (which I am sure must have influenced the likes of Jorn Lande a great deal) demands full attention. Surrounded by varied synth sounds and rising organs, the chorus of this track is simply stunning in its effect. After a stubborn bass line and sparse key strokes, everything cuts out for a mini-second creating utter silence, only to erupt into husky melodious singing and then a sweet acoustic passage with folky synths backing everything up.
More on the guitar front, "Gone Too Far", a song that also stands out for its socially conscious lyrical message, sees guitarist Govan playing two solos, the first one being relatively short yet totally addictive and the second one being the masterwork of the album with its massive build-up into a terrific climax. Also worth checking out is Govan's versatile playing on the moody title track, complete with gentle acoustic guitars, panoramic synths, and excellent vocals. The guitar work here eerily lends itself to Latin-inflected eclectism, but it's quite subtle being neatly hidden under Downess' keyboard effects.
More variety is brought in with the cool organs and almost spacey Middle Eastern elements of "Midnight"; the slightly subpar 80's pop of "Ghost in the Mirror"; the upbeat rocker of "I Will Be There for You"; and the great marriage of modern soundscapes and Monk-like chant vocals with some Latin lyrics of "Darkness Day", easily the bravest song Asia have written. The album ends on a powerful note with "The Prophet", which, with its obsessive drum cadence and wailing organs, and Payne's deep voice, fades into pure white noise after a repeated guitar theme soars on and on forever. It is very beautiful.
The special edition of the album album contains enhanced booklet, extra pictures, and a DVD which features the making of the album. It seems the original lineup is finally back together for their 25th anniversary, so vocalist John Payne is now out. You must check out his new GPS project with this album's guitarist Guthrie Govan and Spock's Beard's key wizard Ryo Okumoto. It has a more progressive vibe to it with cool jam-like sessions and super-experimental synth elements.
Vapid and Sad........2006-08-04
Buy it for the guitar solos!.......2006-06-09
"Silent Nation" is a very dark album. Many of the themes center around Mother Earth, government control, and "the end of days." The lyrics are very vague and the melodies repetitive. The album is much less synth driven and more guitar centered. Geoff Downes resorts to 1970's key sounds and truly plays a secondary role.
This album, however, has the closest sound to their debut album that they've had since John Payne came into the group (1992). The track "Midnight" has a very Yes-like sound, delving into mixed meter and scale-type riffs. "Ghost in the Mirror" is classic Asia - upbeat, with full vocals and great fills. My favorites are "Long Way From Home" and "I Will Be There For You." Both of these tunes have a great melody and a driving beat that keeps the listener intrigued.
The best thing about this album is Guthrie Govan's guitar solos. Rock is an outgrowth of jazz, which the primary focus is allowing a creative outlet for solos. So much of today's pop has all but excluded this heritage. This album has two of the best solos I've ever heard. In the tracks "I Will Be There For You" and "Gone Too Far" Govan takes the simple melodic motives from the vocals and develops them. He starts out simple, then gradually adds more and more things as his solo progresses. His technique involves everything from hammers, scales, arpeggios, and patterns and augment the original melody. His facility and inventiveness is incredible. If Steve Howe could be replaced, Govan would be the man.
If you're a dedicated fan who was questioning about purchasing this album, I feel it's worth the risk.
Average customer rating:
|
Silent Nation
Asia Manufacturer: Inside Out U.S. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00029CYGM Release Date: 2004-08-31 |
Tracks:
- The Prophet
- 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
Album Description
Once in a long while, a musical synergy erupts that leaves a mark for generations. Asia's initial incarnation pooled together the considerable talents of past members of such legendary groups as Yes, King Crimson, Roxy Music, Uriah Heep and EL&P. After 7 studio albums, and 4 greatest hits compilations, Asia released Aura in February 2001. This album produced what a great number of fans have called the most creative Asia record ever, and garnered some of the finest reviews the band has ever received. Silent Nation, a deliberate return to the rock roots from which Asia was born, is the 2004 follow up to Aura. With solid rock tracks like Ghost In The Mirror and What About Love, Silent Nation is poised to bring Asia's distinctive brand of music back to the masses. Silent Nation also heralds the first album released under Asia's new record label, Inside Out Music.Customer Reviews:
Welcome Back.......2007-01-12
Good Solid Rocker.......2007-01-08
I am shocked at the lack of appreciation for this album.......2006-08-08
I will admit that Asia will never recapture the sound on their first three discs without the original members, but one must be crazy to deny that some of their work with Payne in the 90's has been consistent through and through. Silent Nation is without doubt the darkest and most unique album in their catalog. Geoff Downes, the only original member, may be displaying his most linear synth playing in the band yet, opting for more direct yet also arresting tones. The music is no where near the symphonic pop rock once it was; on the contrary, almost all the songs are built on Payne's rich voice and Downess' textured playing. Their songwriting still recalls the band's 80's pop rock anthems with huge choruses and memorable melodies. Songs like the finely arranged "What About Love" and the strongly melodic "Long Way from Home" are chock full of beautiful synth and piano melodies, deeply moving vocal harmonies, and some crunchy guitar accents.
New guitarist Guthrie Govan is a welcome addition to the lineup, as he supplies incredible guitar work that was noticably missing on their previous release. Besides playing indelible solos, he also brings a great melodic sensibility and mirage-like guitars that are planted beneath Downess' first-class synth patches. The absolutely smashing ballad "Blue Moon Monday" would become an instant hit if there was any justice in the music business, as it ranks up right there with their best songs ever. Despite the composition seeming very planned out, Payne's nuanced and expressive singing (which I am sure must have influenced the likes of Jorn Lande a great deal) demands full attention. Surrounded by varied synth sounds and rising organs, the chorus of this track is simply stunning in its effect. After a stubborn bass line and sparse key strokes, everything cuts out for a mini-second creating utter silence, only to erupt into husky melodious singing and then a sweet acoustic passage with folky synths backing everything up.
More on the guitar front, "Gone Too Far", a song that also stands out for its socially conscious lyrical message, sees guitarist Govan playing two solos, the first one being relatively short yet totally addictive and the second one being the masterwork of the album with its massive build-up into a terrific climax. Also worth checking out is Govan's versatile playing on the moody title track, complete with gentle acoustic guitars, panoramic synths, and excellent vocals. The guitar work here eerily lends itself to Latin-inflected eclectism, but it's quite subtle being neatly hidden under Downess' keyboard effects.
More variety is brought in with the cool organs and almost spacey Middle Eastern elements of "Midnight"; the slightly subpar 80's pop of "Ghost in the Mirror"; the upbeat rocker of "I Will Be There for You"; and the great marriage of modern soundscapes and Monk-like chant vocals with some Latin lyrics of "Darkness Day", easily the bravest song Asia have written. The album ends on a powerful note with "The Prophet", which, with its obsessive drum cadence and wailing organs, and Payne's deep voice, fades into pure white noise after a repeated guitar theme soars on and on forever. It is very beautiful.
The special edition of the album album contains enhanced booklet, extra pictures, and a DVD which features the making of the album. It seems the original lineup is finally back together for their 25th anniversary, so vocalist John Payne is now out. You must check out his new GPS project with this album's guitarist Guthrie Govan and Spock's Beard's key wizard Ryo Okumoto. It has a more progressive vibe to it with cool jam-like sessions and super-experimental synth elements.
Vapid and Sad........2006-08-04
Buy it for the guitar solos!.......2006-06-09
"Silent Nation" is a very dark album. Many of the themes center around Mother Earth, government control, and "the end of days." The lyrics are very vague and the melodies repetitive. The album is much less synth driven and more guitar centered. Geoff Downes resorts to 1970's key sounds and truly plays a secondary role.
This album, however, has the closest sound to their debut album that they've had since John Payne came into the group (1992). The track "Midnight" has a very Yes-like sound, delving into mixed meter and scale-type riffs. "Ghost in the Mirror" is classic Asia - upbeat, with full vocals and great fills. My favorites are "Long Way From Home" and "I Will Be There For You." Both of these tunes have a great melody and a driving beat that keeps the listener intrigued.
The best thing about this album is Guthrie Govan's guitar solos. Rock is an outgrowth of jazz, which the primary focus is allowing a creative outlet for solos. So much of today's pop has all but excluded this heritage. This album has two of the best solos I've ever heard. In the tracks "I Will Be There For You" and "Gone Too Far" Govan takes the simple melodic motives from the vocals and develops them. He starts out simple, then gradually adds more and more things as his solo progresses. His technique involves everything from hammers, scales, arpeggios, and patterns and augment the original melody. His facility and inventiveness is incredible. If Steve Howe could be replaced, Govan would be the man.
If you're a dedicated fan who was questioning about purchasing this album, I feel it's worth the risk.
Average customer rating: |
Silent Nation
Asia Manufacturer: Seoul ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B0007WVA1E Release Date: 2005-03-07 |
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
- Prophet
- Rise (Bonus Track)
Album Description
Asian miniature LP sleeve, 2004 edition features 11 tracks including the bonus track 'Rise'. Seoul Record.Album Details
Asian Versio Nfeaturing a Bonus Track: "Rise".
Average customer rating: |
Silent Nation
ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B0002T24FS Release Date: 2004-09-28 |
Album Description
Japanese pressing of the prog-rock supergroup's 2004 album includes one bonus track 'Rise'. JVC.
Average customer rating: |
Silent Nation [Limited Edition]
Asia Manufacturer: Inside Out ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000LX0RO0 |
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