Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An extraordinary album, April 15, 2008
When I learned that the original Asia was releasing a new album, I was struck with the thought that, yes, this was an event I never thought would happen, but at the same time this was an event ripe for a big let down. I will admit I have been a fan of Asia since 1982 and loved the first two albums (yes, I love the Alpha album, what of it?) I am also a fan of the Astra group, as well as the Live in Moscow 1990 Pat Thrall version of the band. I guess what I'm trying to say is John Wetton is the voice of Asia, and as long as his voice is there it will always be Asia.
This takes nothing away from Howe, Palmer or Downes. I only said Wetton is the voice of Asia, not the complete sound. Well, Asia did release a new album, and it's a wonderous thing. John Wetton is singing better than ever, and all four are playing with a unity and strength I thought I'd never hear again. Sleeping Giant/No Way Back/Reprise and Parallel Worlds/Vortex/Deya have to be two of the greatest pieces of music they have ever created. If you've followed John Wetton's ups and downs these past few years, the song An Extraordinary Life will have more meaning.
Steve Howe has written two great songs for this album as well. Wish I'd Known All Along and Over and Over are top-flight songs and show why Howe's complaint of not having any songs on Alpha is justified. Everyone is playing well, Wetton is singing well, and the song selection is just great. The original Asia has released a new album. Life is good.
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37 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
From the ashes they did arise, April 15, 2008
What seemed to be an impossible dream finally came true in 2006 when all four original members of Asia reunited on stage. Two years later, the band presents their long overdue follow-up to 1983's ALPHA, and it seems they haven't missed a beat. This album has all the hallmarks of the classic band, with the more introspective lyricism of Wetton's recent solo and ICON outings. Three songs date to the eighties, letting the band wrap up some unfinished business: "Déyà," "Over and Over," and "Alibis" (previously known as "Jodie"). Furthermore, the verses on "No Way Back" sound strikingly like those from the Wetton/Downes tune, "Walking On Air," now attached to a catchier chorus. After the success of the Wetton/Downes ICON albums which helped pave the way for the full reunion, I was pleased to find that two of the most captivating songs were those written by Steve Howe. Surprisingly, one of the more haunting tunes, "Orchard of Mines," is a cover of a song from "Epicon" by Globus, and it is perfectly suited to John Wetton's voice. This is a mature album from a classic band; it almost makes me believe I've found myself in '82 again.
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13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Asia's most well-rounded CD ever, April 21, 2008
"Phoenix" is, I think, what Asia should have been from the outset. This is, in my opinion, the band's most varied album musically. I hear more of Steve Howe's contributions here than I did on either the debut album or its follow-up, and that's a definite plus. Howe reportedly left the band because he had been relegated to a bit player behind John Wetton and Geoff Downes, but the new album really makes up for that.
Wetton's voice is as rich as ever. I would never have guessed at his health problems based on his performance here, which so far surpasses anything John Payne (with his overly forced, throaty vocals) ever contributed to Asia-light. Not only does Wetton put Payne to shame as a singer, he runs rings around him as a songwriter, producing melodic pieces infused with heart and soul. This is not to say that Payne's work is altogether without merit, but more rather a tribute to Wetton's ability, creativity and musical instincts.
Some reviewers have commented that some of the material on the new CD seems closely related to the two Icon releases. But why shouldn't it? These two CDs are the most recent collaboration between Wetton and Downes and a natural precursor to "Phoenix." What's more, they're both killer albums in their own right. In fact, I'd venture to say that, despite its overall excellence, no single track on this album can equal the soaring grandeur of "To Catch a Thief" off the "Rubicon" release.
Here some hightlights from the album (you'll notice that most of the songs are covered here, which indicates just how good it is). In no particular order:
"Never Again" is a great title for the first song on the CD, reminiscent of the Eagles' reunion under the title "Hell Freezes Over." The original Asia's albums almost always start out with a hard-driving rock anthem, and this is definitely in that vein. I'm not sure it quite lives up to "Heat of the Moment," "Don't Cry" and "Go," but it's definitely a worthy follow-up to those classics.
"Over and Over" features the sort of guitar work prominent on Yes albums, circa "Going for the One" and Howe's solo album "Beginnings."
"Wish I'd Known All Along" is another great showcase for Howe, sounding alternatively jazzy and almost like Renaissance music. The musicianship is the kind of stellar display one expects from Howe, and he's unleashed here as he is on no other song in Asia's catalogue.
"Shadow of a Doubt" sounds like it would have been at home on Alpha - it's very catchy and melodic, and I can see myself listening to it time and time again (pun intended). I know a lot of people knock Alpha as too disjointed and not proggy enough, but it has always been among my favorites.
"Alibis" is an enjoyable enough tune, but listen to the instrumental outro. It's Howe again, providing what sounds very much like a Renaissance-era sequel to "Wurm" off "Starship Trooper." Like "Over and Over," it has elements of late-'70s Yes music to it, mingled with a lightness and airiness that would have fit in well on Alpha.
"Heroine" is a phenomenal ballad by Wetton very much along the lines of his solo tune "Arkangel" from the album of the same title. I loved that one, and this is a suitable follow-up. "I Will Remember You" is another stellar ballad that sounds like something from the recent Icon era.
I think Wetton's voice shines most on "Orchard of Mines," a brooding, almost melancholy cut that's among the most engaging on the album.
The album also includes two intriguing triplets that are more progressive than most of what Asia has produced before. My favorite of the two is anchored by "Parallel Worlds," a haunting tune that leads into two instrumental passages that provide the kind of textural variety that I haven't seen on any other Asia album.
The closer, "An Extraordinary Life," is melodic and anthemic at the same time, another highlight. It reminds me of the upbeat final track on "Alpha" - "Open Your Eyes" (one of my favorite Asia tracks of all time). Though not quite in the same class, it's definitely close.
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