Gravitas

Gravitas is a work on which ASIA depicted its grand melodic sense and the neat constructive beauty of progressive rock with a settled center of gravity. In place of Steve Howe, long the guitarist, the young Sam Coulson joined, bringing the band fresh vitality. The keyboards and guitar, rather than competing, are placed to widen the songs’ scenery and carefully support the vocal melody. While furnished with flashy hooks, here a matured shadow plays an important role. Dramatic yet without ornamenting excessively, it carefully draws out the songs’ essential appeal. With John Wetton’s emotive voice and Geoff Downes’ magnificent keyboards offering an unchanged chemistry, this record turned out to be the last ASIA work in which the original member Wetton took part. It is a flavorful record to keep company when you want to savor the melodic appeal of ASIA at leisure.