Customer Reviews

Axioms

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Asia is one of my favorite bands. The music has a "stealth" complexity to it, that one picks up only after several times in the disc player. This CD fits the bill for what one would purchase a Greatist Hits CD; an overview only hitting the highlights. I don't think you'll be disappointed, but know what you are purchasing before putting your money down. As a fan of Prog Rock, I cannot say this disk of Asia's truly fits the bill. The music on this CD is more Rock with a contemporary feel touched by progressive aspects/signatures. Many have faulted Payne for his singing. I don't think the critism is warranted, he is just a different singer than Wetton (who I am a huge fan of); however, where I do fault Payne is his lack of musical personality when playing his instrument (bass guiter). One can say, "Where is the bass, or rythm SECTION for this band?" Asia compensates by picking up GREAT drummers, but I think this is a band-aid as every true Prog Rock act will have personality from ALL their players. I just wish Asia would pick up a great Bass Player ala' Jeff Berlin (not fair I know as Jeff is a great Jazz Fusion musician, but I hope you get the idea). Despite my criticism, Asia's music still grows on me.

Axioms is a late-90's collection of Asia's best music from that decade, spanning three albums. All the best cuts from this era are represented (at last, more from Arena!) and the track-sequencing is superb. Disc 1 starts and ends with short Geoff Downes instrumental keyboard pieces, while Disc 2 starts and ends with short full-band songs that lyrically and musically bookend everything perfectly.

I'd give this 5 stars, but it gets one less for having each CD be just under an hour. Over twenty minutes of music could have been put on each one. Then, upon reflection, I realized that if all of the good 90's era Asia tracks were on this set, no one would buy the standard albums...

Having said that, Axioms is a good affordable set ($ 12.99 in many stores) and an excellent sampler for 90's Asia if you've only heard the early years with John Wetton ('82-'90), or are a fan of other prog-rock, such as ELP, Yes, King Crimson, Saga, Marillion etc. Track selection is superb, BTW, and there's some tasty liner notes by Asia expert Dave Gallant.

While there are a few essential tracks missing, "Axioms" is still a marvelous compilation of the great Asia material of the '90's. Of course, the best way to hear Asia is to get all three of their classic cd's (now available as a low-priced box set of "Aqua", "Aria" and the amazing "Arena"), but this is a terrific sampler. If you enjoy smooth, adult rock, Asia (the Geoff Downes-John Payne lineup) is definitely for you.

I wouldn't have thought it, but I actually like this later Best of Asia collection (Axioms) better than the Heat of the Moment Best of earlier Asia. Even though the earlier collection (1 Disc) has more recognizable hits, this one (2 Discs) has better overall sonics and really better crafted songs. This title gets repeated spins in my player. Just plain good music with some progressive roots. Highly recommended.

To get a good taste of Asia's music I would recommend two best of collections. `Heat of the Moment' for a feel for their early music and then `Axioms' for a feel for the later stuff up until this albums release.

On a double album you get selection of tracks to remind you quite why you like this band as much as you do. With lush keyboards, great guitar solos and those soaring eighties inspired vocals, the music here may be cheesy at times, but it certainly moves you. I love `Sad Situation' with it's potent lyrics and I love the intro to `The Hunter' as well.

This has a real nostalgic feel for me, being the music my dad played for me as I grew up and I get a certain warm feeling whenever I play it. I find myself reaching for this during autumn and winter as the music here seems to suit those darker evenings and wintry, foggy days very well. If you are new to this band then you could do a lot worse than buying the two best of collections mentioned here, you may know them more for `Heat of the Moment' and early tracks, but you will soon start to love them for the tracks on offer here as well.

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