Definitive Collection [Original recording remastered]

Asia | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 12, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Geffen Records
• ASIN: B000H5VF34
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,756 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Audio CD

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Here comes the feeling...of another "best of" collection., September 13, 2006

By 

Micaloneus (the Cosmos) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Definitive Collection (Audio CD)

This latest Asia reissue is pretty close to the 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Asia, except that they've added four tracks, Wildest Dreams, Here Comes the Feeling, Wishing and "the dance remix" of Go, which makes it's debut on compact disc; very shrewd marketing. It's a fun thing to dance to (very 80's) and great for Asia collectors. It's funny that in my review for the 20th Century Masters collection, I mentioned that it was too bad that "Here Comes The Feeling" and "Wildest Dreams" from their debut weren't included, and now, here they are! Anyway, here's the breakdown of what you'll get on the "definitive collection."

5 songs from the great debut album - Heat of the Moment, Only Time Will Tell, Sole Survivor,
Wildest Dreams & Here Comes the Feeling.

4 songs from the Alpha album - Don't Cry, The Smile Has Left Your Eyes,
The Heat Goes On & Open Your Eyes. Plus, the great Alpha B-side, Daylight.

4 songs from the Astra album - Go, Voice of America, Too Late & Wishing.

1 song from the Now & Then album - Days Like These.

And don't forget, as a bonus, there's the "dance remix" of Go!

In my opinion, spend a few extra bucks and get ASIA GOLD instead, more bang for the buck.
But, if you just want it distilled down to a single disc, this is the one!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Headline: HARMONY-LADEN POP-PROG DESTROYS ANGRY MOB OF MATH-ROCK ZOMBIES, November 18, 2009

By 

Prog Nerd (Southern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Definitive Collection (Audio CD)

A perfect collection of Asia's early hits with bassist/vocalist John Wetton. The remastering is superb, and the songs have a punch like never before.

If I were to describe Asia's early sound (1982-1991), I would say that they sounded like a more commercial UK, with the production and ballads of Foreigner, mixed with fierce instrumental breaks and layered with gorgeous Beach Boys-style harmonies on the choruses. The debut album is diamond-solid and near-perfect; later albums got more watered-down and sappy; by 1992 there was different lineups, diversifying the sound and creating a smorgasboard of pop/prog influences.

Lyrics mostly reflected the endless cycles of love lost and found, with occasional forays into Sci-Fi and war. In other words, if you're young (or young at heart), these songs have the ability to really grab you. If they do, it can make you immune to the angry thrashing of those fat and bald 70's prog zealots.

Geffen got the tracklisting right this time (finally...), although they dropped two of the B-sides. The remix of "Go" is okay, but "Daylight" is simply stunning. A song that always reminds me of sunny blue-sky days, travelling or biking. This collection still features semi-crappy New Age cover art (and no Roger Dean painting), but I'll forgive them.

If you're new or unfamiliar with Asia, this is really all you need. If you're hungry or curious for their later world music/classic rock/prog-metal stuff in the 90's, grab Anthology. If you want full albums, start with the 1982 debut.

Note: Early Best Buy copies of this apparently came with a bonus DVD featuring all of Asia's videos from 1982-85 (including "Go", which was not on the Millenium Collection DVD.)

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Double bonus, March 24, 2007

By 

William A. Whitt (Essex IA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Definitive Collection (CD + DVD Set) (Audio CD)

For this purchase not only do you get all the hits from an awesome band collaberated in the early 80's, but you get a handful of videos on a dvd from them also, a must have! Bill Whitt