Asia
	Rating: 46/100 Reviewed by: Peter Laursen, September '05 Label - InsideOut Music / SPV Style - AOR
Archiva 1 & 2 (Special Edition)

Originally released in 1996 on two separate CD’s, the “Archiva” albums are now available as a specially priced 2 CD set. “Archiva 1 & 2” offers up a collection of demos and outtakes taken from the recording sessions of the John Payne era albums, “Aqua”, “Aria” and “Arena”.

This special edition of “Archiva 1 & 2” contains an expanded booklet featuring new liner notes by Dave Gallant, author of the official biography, “ Asia : The heat goes on”, and four bonus tracks.  

I must admit, that I’m more into Hard Rock and Metal than AOR, but there are a few AOR bands I find ok. Asia is one of them… not that I’m an Asia-freak… no, no… but I can listen to Asia without vomiting. And again I must admit that I actually like a few songs here on “Archiva 1 & 2”.

To cut a long story short… CD 1 contains the better tracks in my humble opinion. “Heart of Gold”, “Tears” and “Fight against the Tide” are decent AOR songs, and when I first heard, “Fight against the Tide”, my first reaction was: QUEEN??? But most of the songs are average Pop/rock songs… so let’s skip to CD 2, ok?

I can do this very short… only a very few songs here are decent… the rest are boring Pop songs. However I like the cover artwork! “Archiva 1 & 2” is only for Asia fans I think. AOR fans could give it a listen… and that’s it! End of review!  

Recommended tracks: See above.