Asia - Aqua

Asia's fourth album, released in June of 1992. Aqua is the first album to feature frontman John Payne after original frontman John Wetton's departure from the band to pursue a solo career in earnest: the album is also the last to feature guitarist Steve Howe until 2001's [m=359927], as well as the last to feature drummer Carl Palmer until 2008's reunion album [m=151220]. John Payne's higher range and 'metal'-style vocals give the album a darker tone and place the sound of the album in the area of early nineties light metal/progressive rock.

Aqua failed to chart in both the UK and the US, but charted in Germany and Japan: like most progressive rock bands operating after the 1980s, Europe and Japan would provide the majority of the band's support and chart showings from then onwards. "[m=94365]", "[r=5061739]", "[r=5104111]" and "[r=5104089]" were released as singles in the US and/or UK, none of which made any significant chart impact: "[r=5061757]", "[r=1930528]" and "[r=5061789]" were released as singles in Europe, but did not fare any better. Restrospectively, "Who Will Stop The Rain" received the most attention, appearing on subsequent compilations. Aqua would set the tone for most of Asia's output throughout the nineties and early 2000s.

The US edition of the album features a modified version of the original cover as well as a different track listing: "Little Rich Boy", despite appearing as a single in the US, is omitted. A 1998 Re-Issue adds "Obsession", originally from the CD single of "[r=3133788]" and subsequently included on the rarities album [m=372263]. A 2004 Re-Issue also adds live versions "Little Rich Boy" and "Love Under Fire" originally from the "[r=5061789]" single.