Aqua (Asia album)

Aqua
Studio album by Asia
Released	June 8, 1992
Recorded	Advision Studios, Brighton, UK, 1991–92
Genre	Progressive rock, art rock , pop rock
Length	60:12
Label	InsideOut Music Great Pyramid Records
Producer	Geoffrey Downes
Asia chronology
Then & Now (1990) Aqua (1992) Aria (1994)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]

Aqua is the fourth studio album by British rock band Asia, released in 1992.

It is the first album with new singer and bassist John Payne, the first Asia album with guitarist Al Pitrelli, and the first album with original guitarist Steve Howe since 1983's Alpha. Howe and original drummer Carl Palmer would both leave Asia shortly after the release; making of Aqua the band's final release to feature either of them in an official capacity until the original line-up reunited in 2006 and released 2008's Phoenix.

History

This was the first Asia album without founder John Wetton, who Downes replaced with Payne. Adding (perceived) legitimacy to the new line-up were two other co-founders of the band, Howe and Palmer, although both were more peripherally involved in the project. (Palmer, in particular, was slated for an ELP reunion.)

The album features four songs co-composed by Johnny Warman.

"Love Under Fire" originated in summer 1988 sessions by Downes with Greg Lake under the project name Ride the Tiger. The Downes/Lake demo song was sung in the key of Gflat, while the Payne-sung version was recorded in A.

"Lay Down Your Arms" is featured in the 1992 animated film Freddie as F.R.O.7.

The album cover was created by the fantasy artist and illustrator Rodney Matthews and includes the Roger Dean designed logo.

Track listing

Original US track listing

1. "Aqua, Pt. 1" (Downes, Howe, Payne) – 2:27
2. "Who Will Stop the Rain?" (Downes, Johnny Warman, Jane Woolfenden) – 4:35
3. "Lay Down Your Arms" (Downes, Greg Hart, Payne) – 4:14^[2][3]
4. "Heaven on Earth" (Andy Nye, Payne) – 4:54
5. "Someday" (Downes, Warman) – 5:48
6. "Crime of the Heart" (Downes, Warman) – 5:57
7. "A Far Cry" (Downes, Hart, Mitchell, Payne) – 5:30
8. "Back in Town" (Downes, Payne) – 4:09
9. "Don't Call Me" (Downes, Warman) – 4:55
10. "Love Under Fire" (Downes, Greg Lake) – 5:15
11. "The Voice of Reason" (Downes, Payne) – 5:37
12. "Aqua, Pt. 2" (Downes, Payne) – 2:14

Original European track listing (and later Worldwide reissues)

1. "Aqua, Pt. 1" (Downes, Howe, Payne) – 2:27
2. "Who Will Stop the Rain?" (Downes, Johnny Warman, Jane Woolfenden) – 4:35
3. "Back in Town" (Downes, Payne) – 4:09
4. "Love Under Fire" (Downes, Greg Lake) – 5:15
5. "Someday" (Downes, Warman) – 5:48
6. "Little Rich Boy" (Downes, Payne) – 4:37
7. "The Voice of Reason" (Downes, Payne) – 5:37
8. "Lay Down Your Arms" (Downes, Greg Hart, Payne) – 4:14
9. "Crime of the Heart" (Downes, Warman) – 5:57
10. "A Far Cry" (Downes, Hart, Mitchell, Payne) – 5:30
11. "Don't Call Me" (Downes, Warman) – 4:55
12. "Heaven on Earth" (Andy Nye, Payne) – 4:54
13. "Aqua, Pt. 2" (Downes, Payne) – 2:14

The US issue of Aqua featured a different running order and omits the track "Little Rich Boy".

Special edition track listing (2004 reissue)

1. "Aqua, Pt. 1" (Downes, Howe, Payne) – 2:26
2. "Who Will Stop the Rain?" (Downes, Johnny Warman, Jane Woolfenden) – 4:35
3. "Back in Town" (Downes, Payne) – 4:09
4. "Love Under Fire" (Downes, Greg Lake) – 5:14
5. "Someday" (Downes, Warman) – 5:48
6. "Little Rich Boy" (Downes, Payne) – 4:37
7. "The Voice of Reason" (Downes, Payne) – 5:37
8. "Lay Down Your Arms" (Downes, Greg Hart, Payne) – 4:14
9. "Crime of the Heart" (Downes, Warman) – 5:57
10. "A Far Cry" (Downes, Hart, Mitchell, Payne) – 5:30
11. "Don't Call Me" (Downes, Warman) – 4:55
12. "Heaven on Earth" (Andy Nye, Payne) – 4:55
13. "Aqua, Pt. 2" (Downes, Payne) – 2:14
14. "Obsession (Bonus Track)" (Payne, Rodford) - 4:59
15. "Little Rich Boy (Live, Bonus Track)" (Downes, Payne) – 4:59
16. "Love Under Fire (Live, Bonus Track)" (Downes, Greg Lake) – 5:55

Tracks 15 & 16 recorded November 10, 1992 at Town & Country, London, UK

Personnel

• Geoffrey Downes – keyboards, vocals
• Steve Howe – guitar on 1,2,3,5,7,10
• Carl Palmer – drums
• John Payne – bass, vocals
• Al Pitrelli – guitar

Guest artists

• Simon Phillips – drums
• Ant Glynne – guitar
• Scott Gorham – guitar
• Mats Johanson - guitar solo (on "Crime of the Heart")
• Nigel Glockler - drums

References