It's perhaps easy to expect too much after the stellar debut single "Chains." That's not to say
Arena's debut offers nothing to the listener; it could have been far worse, since top session men Tim and
John Pierce and drummer
Pat Mastelotto (
the Rembrandts,
King Crimson) don't appear for nothing. Even so, a lot of
Don't Ask remains twee. However, there are good moments in the shape of showcase single "Chains," power ballad "Heaven Help My Heart" and the bouncy closing track "Standing Up." There's room for improvement then, although
Arena can deliver some fine vocals, and
David Tyson (
Alannah Myles,
Amanda Marshall) supplies some equally fine production. The gorgeous "Sorrento Moon" suggests
Arena may yet become the
Astrud Gilberto of Australia.