Amazon.com: Asia's eponymously titled debut album in 1982 was both ecstatically received and the biggest selling album of the year. It spawned a trio of US top 10 singles in "Heat of the Moment", "Only Time Will Tell" and "Sole Survivor." Over the greater part of the 80s, Asia racked up 15 million in global record sales.
Rising from the ashes in 2008, the Multi-Platinum Supergroup Asia returns with "Phoenix," the first new album featuring the original line up in 25 years. With a revered musical pedigree, Geoff Downes (Yes, The Buggles), Steve Howe (Yes), Carl Palmer (ELP), and John Wetton (King Crimson) have returned to their hit making roots. Featuring the anthemic lead track "Never Again", and the poignant "An Extraordinary Life," Asia's revived the sound that made them radio staples.
Album Description: Japanese pressing of this full-length album comes with acoustic version of 'I Will Remember You' as the bonus track. King. 2008.
Great sound, but a little repetitve...more of the same. For Asia fans, this is a must have, unless you are expecting any growth in the group over 25 years. This is another Asia album, and as such, brings back many fond memories of the first two Asia albums. It does not go very far in exploring new sound or building upon past successes. Still, worth having, and shows promise for the next album.
Must admit Must admit I've been and Asia original lineup hardcore fan for so many years and there were few chances I'd be disappointed with Phoenix. Putting it mildly Roger's artwork is astounding and for me this is as important as the music is. Recording and sound are very good. Don't see why track 3 was included in the CD.
Asia Recycles "Asia" My impression of "Phoenix" virtually repeats that of their 1982 "Asia" debut. These are technical wizards coming together in order to make a pop album. It worked well a quarter-century ago, but times have changed and this Asia basically has not. "Phoenix," for the most part, could have come out the very next year after "Asia." Instrumental passages are the album's high points, offering small glimpses of big talents. Wetton's rather unremarkable voice, though matured, remains unremarkable. The lyrics still get pretty corny. The keyboard sounds are only slightly updated. I wonder, did they expect to repeat the quadruple-platinum album sales of yesteryear by basically recycling the album?
Musical Oatmeal Asia's new release, Phoenix, seems to be an attempt for the four seasoned musicians to recapture the magic of their 1980s success. The problem with this plan is the 80s are long over. Successful bands that have managed to survive and thrive over the last few decades (REM, U2, Rush, XTC, etc.) have done so because of their growth as musicians. These bands took risks to reinvent and redefine their sound. This is essentially why Asia continues to disappoint me. Considering that each of the core members of this super-group hails from a progressive-rock background, it seems ironic that Asia's output has been one of virtually no progression since their masterful debut album those many years ago.
On the surface, the music is okay. If I was 14 I might actually enjoy it. Where to begin? I'm reminded of a line in Spinal Tap where one reviewer remarked that Tap's musical growth could not be charted. Downes must be unaware that keyboards can produce a variety of sounds; he seems to use the same settings on every track. Steve Howe's talents are sorely wasted on this record; his guitar-playing is too-often eclipsed by the heavy-handed church-style keyboards of Downes. Palmer's effort as percussionist is pedestrian to the point that he could have been replaced by a session musician or a drum machine. From a song-writing perspective, Wetton (whether with Asia, Downes, or as a solo performer) seems to be content in treading through a sea of rehashed themes--too many monosyllabic songs about unrequited love and relationships that end in betrayal. Too many four-chord ballads. It's deja vu all over again. The two lengthier tracks on Phoenix are the record's only saving grace because there is enough going on to actually entertain the mind, though even these tracks do not even remotely compare with, for example, UK's debut release.
On one of Phoenix's tracks Wetton laments, "It's the end of the book with no more pages to turn." I'm forced to agree. Asia seems to have peaked on its debut album and have been trying ever since to equal or surpass it. But, rather than simply opening the book and adding another page, it would be nice to see Asia actually begin a new book. Unfortunately, Wetton and company either cannot progress or they are consciously choosing to avoid progression under the assumption that it's easier to spoon-feed their fan base another bowl of unflavored oatmeal.
So-So As nice as it is to hear new music from Asia, there is nothing here that sparks the desire to leave it in play.
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
