Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Asia
Label: Frontiers Records
Release: 2014
Length: 47:40
Rating: 3.5/5
»Gravitas« is the first Asia album with guitarist Sam Coulson in the lineup, after he replaced the legendary, often brilliant but also moody and inflexible ‘Mr. Owl’, Steve Howe (Yes), in 2013. Howe’s (expected) exit meant the end of the classic Asia lineup yet again, but this time hardly any fan of the band lost much sleep over it, since the last three studio albums were plagued by the same chronic problems, which were also tied to the specific songwriting philosophy of the aforementioned guitar great. Howe was far from the only thing holding Asia back from finally moving at least a little bit out of the past and their attempts to recapture the old creative and atmospheric magic of the eighties, when they ruled the top of the charts. The other three ‘old cats’, namely singer/bassist John Wetton (ex-King Crimson, Uriah Heep, UK), drummer Carl Palmer (ex-ELP, Atomic Rooster) and keyboardist Geoff Downes (Yes, ex-The Buggles), each clung in their own way to some pretty generic songwriting ideas.
Coulson thus landed in the middle of three prog rock/AOR veterans, who quickly took him under their wing as an equal member, which was a rather unique but well-deserved recognition for a talented young guitarist. His guitar style, of course, can’t compete with his famous predecessor on a technical level, since Howe had his own specific approach to forging guitar passages, but it’s far more flexible in terms of genre and isn’t ashamed of the occasional bit of tougher phrasing.
The result of Asia being given a shot of youthful energy is the album »Gravitas«. It once again boasts a traditional cover by the legendary Roger Dean, as well as a surprisingly good-sounding and lively production by the Wetton-Downes duo, which is a welcome step up from the previous album, the anniversary but too quickly boring »XXX« (2012). »Gravitas«, which was originally supposed to be called »Valkyrie« after the opening track, also marks a turn for the better in terms of songwriting, which will please everyone who gave up after »XXX« on the idea that the band could still pull off any particularly pleasant surprise after thirty years. Incidentally, the ancient Romans, mostly in the form of allegorical goddesses, used Gravitas to denote one of four virtues (alongside Pietas, Dignitas and Virtus).
This time around, Asia managed to craft a truly splendid album opener with »Valkyrie«, the kind that suits their fascinating legacy and the kind they once knew how to write at the highest level, before their inspiration started to seriously fade in their old age. Melodic harmonies provide a magical, nostalgic intro, while the orchestral arrangement quickly shifts into a mighty melody with a simple but sturdy guitar phase. Wetton’s distinctive vocals immediately get the chance to breathe with full lungs and experience a revelation in the epic chorus. The end result is a grandiose atmosphere that hasn’t been heard on an Asia album in a good while, and Coulson adds yet another extremely refreshing element with a short but splendid solo.
The title track, almost eight minutes long, is also among the album’s highlights. The majestic orchestral opening, with the mellotron coming through beautifully, is a splendid nod to the symphonic prog roots of the original three Asia members and another very welcome move that will delight all the longtime fans. Next comes a sly tempo shift on piano, where Downes pushes his keyboard genius even further, especially once the Hammond organ ends up under his fingers. Wetton’s vocals haven’t sounded this good amid all this symphonic grandeur in quite a few years, and they hold up very well across the whole album anyway. Palmer is as unsurpassable as ever with his disciplined yet dynamic drum kit work, once again confirming his status as one of the best rock drummers of all time. Meanwhile, the ‘youngster’ Coulson seals his status as an excellent replacement for the legendary but sadly, in his old age, overly ossified (figuratively and literally) Steve Howe with a supersonic guitar solo.
»The Closer I Get To You« is the first power ballad on the album and also the first track on »Gravitas« that, with its slowed-down rhythm, somewhat kills the exceptional, practically refreshing opening stretch. The pre-chorus, partly because of the lyrics themselves, might for a moment remind some of The Cars’ evergreen »Drive«, which means it doesn’t dodge some already-heard, slightly generic sonic elements, although the classic AOR chorus will thrill all the loyal fans.
»Nyctophobia« turns out all the more interesting, a pretty unusual piece that draws its title and lyrics from the fear of the dark. Funny, but entirely possible that one of the original Asia tough guys has become afraid of sleeping in a dark room in his old age. Judging by Wetton’s sentimental lyrics about women, which take over the second half of the album, they’re certainly going through their third puberty. The opening arrangement leans a bit toward Supertramp’s hit »The Logical Song«, which luckily is the only similarity, as the track quickly settles into its own specific pulse and atmosphere, peaking in an epic, multi-voiced chorus. The latter will once again appeal to those who want a successful fusion of ‘old/classic’ and somewhat ‘new’ arrangement tricks from the new Asia.
»Russian Dolls« is also far from a bad track. It was probably inspired by Wetton’s trip around Russia, and it reeks of sex tourism, if not a close encounter with the members of Pussy Riot. Regal symphonic arrangements nicely build up the all-pervading melancholic atmosphere, while Wetton’s contemplative singing is steered along just the right line so it doesn’t come off as saccharine. »Heaven Help Me Now« is already somewhat more generic but still a solid effort, which sets up the opening drama with a pompous orchestral intro in which Downes especially shines. Thanks to Coulson’s sharpened guitar passages and Palmer’s massive fills, many will be reminded of certain tracks from the album »Astra« (1985). With Howe in the lineup they couldn’t have afforded such punchy yet still distinctly melodic rock tracks by any chance, and it’s nice that they let themselves breathe a little this time.
»I Would Die For You«, whose opening guitar phrase recalls Iron Butterfly’s evergreen »In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida«, is a classic Asia power ballad, of which they’ve churned out a fair number in recent years. Aside from guitar phrasing that’s quite different from what’s been usual over the past few years, it offers nothing especially refreshing. »Joe DiMaggio’s Glove« was obviously inspired by the glove of the famous American baseball player. Besides numerous records on the field, he was also known in his day as Marilyn Monroe’s second husband. This sentimental power ballad is the moment when Asia give in too much to those generic elements that, it seems, they simply can’t avoid anymore, although this time they deserve praise for the nostalgic chorus and the fascinating symphonic arrangement. The album’s finale clearly ran short on real energy and refreshing songwriting ideas, as »Till We Meet Again« is the weakest track on »Gravitas«. The driving organ arrangement and harmonies sound overly forced this time, if not slightly annoying, while the generic love lyrics are quite a cliché even by Wetton’s usual lyrical standards. Lucky for us, Coulson spices it all up in the song’s outro with a short but fun, bluesy solo.
The first Asia album with Sam Coulson is their best since the classic lineup reunited in 2007, with the new guitarist blowing a breath of fresh air into the pretty weathered sails of the legendary band, who couldn’t avoid some overly generic moments on »Gravitas« either. Asia badly needed a change and a sonic overhaul. With »Gravitas« they finally pulled it off, at least in part, and in terms of quality they even managed to get close to some of their classic albums from the eighties and nineties. Too bad they ran out of steam a bit toward the end, especially in the second half of the album, so »Gravitas« isn’t the full rebirth of the ‘old cats’ and the miraculous discovery of the fountain of youth.
Lineup
John Wetton – vocals, bass guitar
Sam Coulson – guitar
Geoff Downes – keyboards
Carl Palmer – drums
Production
John Wetton and Geoff Downes
Tracklist
1. Valkyrie (5:25)
2. Gravitas (i. Lento ii. Gravitas) (7:59)
3. The Closer I Get to You (6:38)
4. Nyctophobia (5:11)
5. Russian Dolls (5:05)
6. Heaven Help Me Now (i. Wings of Angels ii. Prelude iii.Heaven Help Me Now) (5:38)
7. I Would Die For You (3:11)
8. Joe DiMaggio’s Glove (4:30)
9. Till We Meet Again (4:03)
