Asia - Phoenix
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Music CD Cover
Artist: AsiaEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown)
CD Release Date: 2008-04-15
Music Label: Frontiers Records/EMI America
Soundtracks:
- Never Again
- Nothing's Forever
- Heroine
- Sleeping Giant / No Way Back / Reprise
- Alibis
- I Will Remember You
- Shadow Of A Doubt
- Parallel Worlds / Vortex / Deya
- Wish I'd Known All Along
- Orchard Of Mines
- Over And Over
- An Extraordinary Life
Free Music Notes for Phoenix
Free Music Review: Time and a Word or Two or Three......
Hit: 5 Stars
If there was ever a time or person for this review it is me and it is now. Before I talk about the album. I want to talk about you. The so-called Asia fans. I know we live in a much crueler, hypertensive world nowadays. It often is unbearable for me. I know appreciation of what is always more than merely music is subjective. I will say with great authority, however, that if you did not love this album, then you truly have a different view of not only Asia, their music, but where they take you as a "true" Asia fan. Think of "Without You". That song is about love and being with "The One". No one did/does it better. NO ONE. All their songs are original that NO groups could touch. Every song. Every album. It is apples to oranges always concerning song to song and album to album. I hate comparisons of what is already what you love completely. Now, I too have followed Asia (not from 1982 though). However, I am 33 and was more than old enough in the 80's (by far the best decade, IMHO.) With that said, I did not really discover them until High School in the late 80's when a friend was playing, "Then and Now". I am sure I had heard "Heat" at the time, but the first song I heard that night was "Wildest Dreams" (kind of ironic, but not really as I will explain later). See, I believe we each have a group that speaks and touches our souls more deeply than any other. Like a soul mate they are "The One." But to me music is deeper than love and will not abandon you like a woman sometimes does :). Asia is the group that always touched me so deeply and is to this day perfect. If I could create a music group they would be the closest to it. To the reviewer about inevitability of their NOT reuniting and saying otherwise is seemingly lying. I am sorry. But like so many things in my life, I KNEW they would be together again. I never worried. I loved that Geoff kept the Asia name, and I believe sounded so INCREDIBLY well. Did some of you forget about the "Aqua" album? I mean Steve and Carl contributed very nicely on that first album with Payne. And Steve contributed on two tracks on the "Aura" album. Have you heard his playing at the end of the song "Free" on that album? Classic Asia sound. Not to mention his acoustic piece, "Ginger" was almost added to another "Payne-era" Asia album. And was added to "Anthology" (1 or 2?). So Steve has been contributing through the years while he was with Yes/soloing. You didn't notice this? I knew Steve was coming back. And God always opens the right doors at the right times. John and Geoff had already worked together years ago. You had three original members together in the "Asia in Asia" concert. Geoff and John worked together on more than one occasion even before Icon. Lest you forget they are Christians, and they are wonderful souls. Time was going to heal any supposed wounds. I mean really the rush of 11 months to put together what was to be the "Alpha" album by a money-hungry music industry did not help and part of the real reason for Steve leaving. Steve says on the reunion website when they first got back together, 'We never really got to know each other well as people outside the whirlwind of music and touring at the time', like he did with Yes. That's what the 80's music industry will do; like they do today with Brittney. Money before people. Therefore, the reunion was going to happen. After I saw Asia at the House of Blues in Cleveland in September 2006, I was the VERY last one to go up to the table to meet and talk/sign with Geoff and Carl. I thanked Geoff for carrying the name and spirit as I see it all these years (without which I don't think this would have all been possible now). And the music and playing Geoff did on the Asia albums with Payne was just awesome to say the least. And personally I love all the Asia albums. All those albums sound like Asia and touch me deeply too because of Geoff's keys, the lyrics and the themes in the songs (war, for example), and it was/is all precious to me. John Payne is VERY good, and I thank him immensely too. I then thanked Carl for his brilliant performance that night. All four are golden, and together they are an element that does not even exist on Earth. Now, I could say a ton more but to get to the new album which is A-1 it's time.
When I listened to the sound bytes, I liked them a lot. Then when I listened to the songs in full over VH-1's site, I absolutely loved them. I was tapping my foot a lot on most every song. I don't want to belittle foot-tapping, because I know it can sound childish. But believe me, I loved that I was doing that. That was something I noticed fully and strongly. I loved it. First album back. Just as the actual reunion itself was not a complete surprise. It's like I know these songs before they were made. That along with the knowing of the reunion going to happen for certain is why I said wildest dreams was not altogether true in the sense I knew it was coming deep in my heart and soul. I have been so blessed with the groups I truly love. More about the album. Two things off the bat. I really love "Alibis". I think it is an amazingly good song (wonderfully 80'sish with a flair all their own). And the mix on that song is so tight. I only saw one other reviewer say how good it is. I refer to a couple other reviews as I go on here. Yes, keyboards are back on this album with Geoff's awesome solos and ambiance. The reviewer who wrote that knows about Geoff's other work in Asia with as you guys call it the Payne-era. So why say otherwise. It's true what they said. I am a non-conformist and I don't make up labels like that. Geoff has brought the keyboards back into rock with his solos and strong feeds and harmonies that he creates. I love his sound effects and choices too. He never stopped keeping keys alive in rock. God bless him. That's one of the tons of appeals about Asia's sound. But not just any keyboard playing, but Geoff's. I read once that Steve said Geoff has a certain "Old English" style to his playing. Next, someone said you need Steve more intertwined in the music. Are you kidding me? Steve was all over this album, and was beyond brilliant. Since I think Steve is the best guitarist/musician ever, I was actually praying it would gell together after all the years apart. But I knew in my heart, and know Steve can make anything work as it used to. He's perfect. And the songs, "Wish I Had Known All Along" (which I really love) and "Over and Over" are fantastic. When John sings "Over and Over", I can imagine the lyrics could be sung by Jon Anderson so easily. But then John Wetton goes right back to himself as the lyrics stretch more. It is brilliant. Did you hear the old Asia sound in John's voice when he sings, "Whatever I do.." on "I Will Remember You." God. I loved that. THAT is putting it in a bottle, my friends. That line alone took me right back to Alpha's melodic songs that pierced the heart and were so original. So simple. It's like music was made for them. Not the other way. They are the architects of a sound that will and can never be labeled. "Never Again" is a classic 80's style that is all Asia and a great song. Steve's playing at the end caps it. His playing throughout was ferocious and just "Steve" to the nth degree. I don't get how you didn't see how much Steve's playing was pushed up. Thank God. Wasn't that part of the complaint about the Alpha album? The mix. I adore the Alpha album, but come on guys. You were given Steve in fullness here. The three part songs speak for themselves. Simply brilliant in sound and progressiveness, and in the midst tow tapping as well (as I mentioned earlier). One reviewer talked of Asia's ability to give us perfect progressive rock with the right essence of some pop. LOL. Well, I just described it from those songs alone. It was perfect progressive that took you some place, yet also made my tows' tap. And I agree Carl's drumming isn't as much in the forefront in some songs as in the "Asia" album. But it is evident throughout the album while both strong and more noticeable in other places. Then how about in Vortex? My God. Didn't you hear him then? He crushed like only he can. So did Steve. Guys. Just like on Fanfare, they could illuminate and jam like you would never believe so easily and better than any band, but they have many aspects to their sound they need to tend to. And they need to stay in the Asia arena. I agree with uncorking the songs that have interplay more, which I feel they did very much so here. That is one of their hallmark's is interweaving, but also interplay between Steve and Geoff or Carl (which was very present here). I think you will see even more interplay on the next album. Steve extended solos and I loved that. Keep in mind one last thing. They are not done. There is more to come guys. Believe me. As a matter of fact, because this album sold so well on Amazon (pre-ordering, etc.) and many places and will continue to, they will get more and more recognition. Believe me the word is out already. It already was when they were doing radio interviews in the US on the first tour in '06. Along with the success of their incredible live tours, they WILL make another album. Did you see how good they were on the Webcast (barring the server interruptions) at Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York on the 15th? God. Steve was so amazing. They better make that concert into a live album. John's singing is truly beautiful. People, you should be so excited. In a world today with so much that has gone bad over time, there still are some perfect gems. Asia is one of those, at least to me. Thank God.
Phoenix Poster
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.
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