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29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Potent distillation of prog into powerhouse pop, September 29, 2004
If you want 10-minute suites with lengthy instrumental noodling, this is not the album for you...despite its amazing pedigree featuring members of Yes, ELP, and UK (and, by extension, Tomorrow, Bodast, Atomic Rooster, Crazy World of Arthur Brown, King Crimson, Roxy Music, and, of course, the Buggles). These instrumental virtuosos strip everything down to a tight, melodic core and simply play these songs like a house on fire. It's got plenty of proggy elements, but it's all fairly concise. All of the tracks here are radio-friendly powerhouses, and the album sold by the ton, standing tall at #1 on the album charts for an astounding 9 straight weeks. The critics, of course, hated it. But it still holds up, more than 20 years later. "Heat of the Moment" is where English flash and drama meet the Spector-ish "Wall of Sound," and it makes for a fantastic single. Gotta love the riffage from Steve Howe! On "Only Time Will Tell," soaring harmonies and a memorable melody powered this track into the Top 10 as well. Geoff Downes proves that he is by no means a "second tier" keyboardist with his wonderfully dexterous playing and nuanced sonic textures. A tennis match was allegedly the inspiration for "Sole Survivor," and it jumps back and forth appropriately with a hard-hitting edge. The stately "One Step Closer" and the rocking "Time Again" also feature soaring harmonies and strong lead vocals from belter John Wetton. Carl Palmer steps to the fore with the tricky percussive showcase, "Wildest Dreams," before the band cools down with the majestic "Without You"--Wetton really shines vocally here. The album closes on a rocking note with "Here Comes the Feeling." Prog purists gagged on this album, but Asia captured a spark and sound that riveted listeners in the early 1980s. Sadly, they were not able to maintain this standard as consistently and brilliantly throughout the rest of their career, but for a few brief, shining moments, Asia ruled the music world.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
More rock & pop despite its band member's progressive roots, September 14, 2006
THE BAND: John Wetton (lead vocals, bass), Geoff Downes (keyboards), Steve Howe (guitars), Carl Palmer (drums & percussion).
THE DISC: (1982) 9 tracks clocking in at approximately 44 minutes. Included with the disc is a minimal 2-page fold out including song titles/credits/times, and musicians. All songs written by Asia members. Album cover art by Roger Dean. Recorded at Townhouse Studio, London, England. Label - Geffen.
COMMENTS: I had mixed feelings about Asia's debut album when it first came out in '82. One of the first true supergroups that I can recall - Wetton (most notably from King Crimson and UK), Howe (Yes), Palmer (ELP), and Downes (Buggles and Yes). Steve Howe and Carl Palmer were ungodly superstars in their perspective bands during the 70's. I remember buying the vinyl based on the strength of "Sole Survivor". I remember thinking with these progressive musicians at the helm, there'd have to be some 10-12 minute spacey head trips. That's where the mixed feelings came in. All the songs were in the 4 to 5 minute range ("Here Comes The Feeling" is the longest track at 5:42). Wetton and Downes were the main writers here... and Downes prior catalog with the Buggles was "pop" to the max. In retrospect, I now know why Asia had that pop feel - it was Geoff Downes all along. Not that it's a bad thing... Asia's sound just wasn't what I was expecting. This album is heavy on keyboards. Steve Howe's guitar remains mostly in the background outside of a few shining guitar solos. The bass work is great. Carl Palmer's drumming is steady, but it's nothing flashy like his days with ELP. Wetton's vocals are top notch. It's the songs that eventually made me come around, as it did for so many listeners (and radio stations). Asia's debut spent 9 weeks at #1 on the U.S. album chart. "Heat Of The Moment" (reaching #4), "Sole Survivor" (#10), and "Only Time Will Tell" (#17) were huge Top 40 hits. Billboard named the Asia debut as album of the year. Compilations are saturated with songs from their 1st album - "The Very Best Of Asia: Heat Of The Moment 1982-90" has 6 of the 9 songs from it's debut, and "Asia - Gold" (2005) incredibly contains all 9 songs. A commercial success to say the least, and fans of its members former bands cried "sell out". All I can say is - you can't please everyone. There's no denying the songs are catchy... with my favorites being "Sole Survivor", "Only Time Will Tell" and the heaviest song "Time Again". One of the top rock debuts from the past several decades. If you want to own one studio album of theirs - this is the one! As of 2006, I still look forward to a digitally remastered version with extensive liner notes to be released. This is a classic album from the 80's (5 stars).
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
You're gonna love it or hate it . . ., August 28, 2004
Yes, that's right. If you're into all kinds of music, especially classic rock, and love hooks and melodies without real concern for lyrics, or you don't get hung up on small things ( of any sort ), and are perhaps under the age of 35, chances are, you'll love this album. If you're over 35, cranky, egotistical, and demand only the most virtuoso Math-rock from your musicians ( early Yes, King Crimson ), you might not like this album.
You see, early Asia was all about having fun. The lyrics were sappy, the playing short, tight, consise and very poppy. So don't expect to hear anything like King Crimson, ELP, or Yes. You will hear snippets and influences of the band's previous groups, but that is all. Speaking of the band...Wetton never sounded better than on Asia's debut. With King Crimson, his voice always sounded hollow and grainy to me. He got better as time went on. Steve Howe's guitar playing was still excellent, and coupled with Geoff Downes on keyboards ( who was in the previous Yes line-up with Howe ), there are some moments that recall the Drama album from 1980. Carl Palmer on drums sounded excellent as always.
"Heat of the Moment" sets the tone for the record by kicking things off with a bang. This was a huge radio and MTV hit in 1982, and you'll likely hear this on classic rock radio today. Listen to this song five times and I dare you to get that chorus out of your head. It can't be done. The middle instrumental section is breathtaking.
"Only Time Will Tell" is perhaps the best song on here. The keyboards and piano are beautiful, and I love the production on Wetton's voice. The quiet build-up to that first chorus, and the "whoooosh" of Palmer's drum that sounds like a tidal wave is what hooked me to this.
"Sole Survivor" is powerful, straight-ahead rock. Another catchy chorus, and it features some excellent Hammond organ playing from Downes. The interlude and build-up, again, is gut-wrenching. As the song fades out, the band just keeps going. I have never heard Palmer or Howe sound more alive in a basic rock 'n' roll fashion like this, as the song ends.
"One Step Closer" is the album's one true weak point. Howe is higher in the vocal mix during the verses ( eh? ), and the lyrics are pretty bad. However, I can say that it's a very original song...haven't heard anything like it, really, and it has some nice little jingly keyboards on the verses. If it wasn't for this song, my review might have given five stars.
"Time Again". Wow. Heavy guitar opening into an echo-y, eerie vocal intro and a gong, which segues into some fierce playing by all around. One of the best. Even though almost all vocals are Wetton on the album ( including overdubbed background singing ), the layered sections really sound good.
"Wildest Dreams" is the band's take on war, and the horrors surrounding it. What I like is that it's not about any war in particular, but uses various lyrical imagery to recall wars hundreds of years previous, WWII, Veitnam and others beyond. This song contains my favorite Howe solo of all time, and my favorite Palmer solo of all time.
"Without You", along with the previous track, are Asia's best lyrics on the album. This song is very melancholy, and very dramatic. Lots of lovely keyboards, and Wetton's smoky vocals on the first verse are haunting. The song starts slow and builds up to a fast-paced middle section before Howe gives a blazing, powerful solo and brings the song to an end, slowly, once more, with some tasteful acoustic guitar. Then you're treated to one last chorus before the song fades over a keyboard-driven march.
"Cutting It Fine" begins with Howe playing the main melody on his acoustic -- then Downes plays it as a keyboard line -- and then everyone joins in as we're led into the song, this time with a lot of venom in the lyrics and vocal phrasing. Take note of Geoff's vocoder during the choruses near the end ( it took me many listens to notice it ) -- "Cut...Ing...It...Fine." The song seems to fade out for good...
...Before we're treated to what is essentially a Downes solo piece. It starts slow, on a piano, and then adds layers and layers of keyboard textures and distant drums, creating this grand march that seems to never end as it fades out. One of the most poignant and beautiful moments on the album. The actual title of this section is "Bolero". Geoff Downes still plays a truncated version of this during his solo spots on Asia tours today.
"Here Comes The Feeling" ends Asia's debut record on a positive note, as the lyrical protagonist is reunited with his lover and all is well with the world. The instrumental bridge is the best jam-like moment the original Asia line-up ever had, and is my favorite part of the song.
Over the years, many people have slammed this album. I don't understand why. For what it is and what it tries to be, it's perfect. It's not a serious rock record. It's just fun, emotional, raw progressive-pop, served up early 80's style. Back in the day, one critic mentioned, ( paraphrasing ) "The lyrics make no sense. Five songs about wanting to break up with their girlfriends, and three about how much they love them." The way I see it, that's the point! The album is like a series of snapshots of all the relationships I once had, both good and bad memories, and it came upon me at the perfect age : 18.
If you have a CD burner, tack on the B-side "Ride Easy". It makes a good album-closer. Also, here's hoping that Geffen will remaster and repackage this sometime soon, perhaps for the 25th anniversary in '07. The booklet needs lyrics and some photos. By the way, the cover art is among Roger Dean's best, IMO.
Well, there you go. One of my favorite CDs of all time, and among my most-played-since-I-bought-it of all time. Recommended!
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