Asia - Phoenix
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Free Music Notes for Phoenix
Free Music Review: When the Present destroys the Past !!
Hit: 5 Stars
With this tittle you will wrongly believe that this will be a negative review, but it isn't!! The tittle is a homage to a Steve Howe remark of a very dear song to me from this remarkable album.
Yes, the present indeed destroys all the former conflicts between these four musicians and the big hiatus they went thru together (though I really love John Payne's era and too!!)
This album is really a back to the basis, but it has also a fresh and new proposal. It is a very powerful and meaningful return, but with a more evolved and smooth sound. Not in vain, Carl Palmer in one of the lattest interview in the Extra - TV Show stated: that this album involves a more mature sound and a sort of Moody Blues fashion.
But don't be affraid with the word smooth!! because there a is a lot of great intense material mixed with a more easy listening prog tracks and flavored with a mystic & romantic trend.
NEVER AGAIN, the first track is an anthem!! and takes you back to the 80's in a time machine, powered by the memories of your youth and a familiar call to arms in order to make the difference as a real human being. Howe's introduction riff says to you: I am back!! Hearing John Wetton again sinning with these guys is thrilling..his voice is still great as it was!!..the same for Carl Palmer's drums and percussion..and of course Geoff Downes' unique keyboards!!!
Then, the second track is opened by a great sui generis fanfarre of Geoff Downes that evokes the creative free-format they had in their first album, followed by a light, but good song, in which every one makes their part in order to sings a well known millenary advisory: NOTHING'S FORERVER.
Hearing HEROINE: Howe's introduction and bridge are really trademarks, as the sweet and melodic voice of Wetton. Downe's keyboards is defenitevly the tapestry the track needed to configure it as a new ASIA romantic song, that deserves to be part of their new live shows. This song remembers me "The smile has left your eyes" a bit.
SLEEPING GIANT / NO WAY BACK / REPRISE, remains me for a moment, at least the first part, a TALES FROM A TOPOGRAPHIC OCEAN song (and I am not referring the about the tittle)..but of course in a more easy listening way..this introduction (very progressive, I might add) lead us to a moved song with a very snapy chorus (No way back!!)..this one for me is like a YES Meets ASIA and the result is beyond good!!
ALIBIS is ASIA!! Howe and Palmer's welcomes you to a rocky-progressive fresh song, with good vocals, very great keyboards and guitar solos, and superb drums!!.
I WILL REMEBER YOU is one of those good songs with a melancolic touch that bring us back memories of former and classical works as "My own Time" and "Ryde Easy".
SHADOWS OF A DOUBT is like ALIBIS, plainly can be defined as a rocky song with a characteristical ASIA romantic oriented touch!
This three part song: PARALLEL WORLDS / VORTEX / DEYA is a very good example of evolution. Combines the wonders of these four guys's instrumental virtuosity. The first song starts as an another great reflexive-melodic ASIA style song, but suddenly in the latter ones, something happen (without breaking the continuity of the whole track).. an instrumental and powerful partnerhip emerge from Howe, Palmer and Downes, to then be ended with a Howe's romantic guitar solo and a 60's melancolic european well made sound played by Downes.
As I formrely qouted, Steve Howe's song: WHISH I'D KNOW ALL ALONG is one of my favorites. I really love the lyrics...and the music..and of course how Steve plays here!!!
ORCHARD OF MINES and OVER AND OVER are the red light ahead that the album is near to end, and are more smooth, romantics and calm tracks..with more modern arrangements.. good ones too..not to be underestimated!!
AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE is a great, but great way to end this album..recaps John's Wettons insides about life and death (after his recent emergency heart surgery during the 2007 ASIA tour)..and it is also a powerful and meaningful anthem..one of those great prog rock bands used to sing before the decay of the real rock culture into the current cult of modern vaccumness sponsored by a MTV psuedo-oriented art!!
Hope you will find this review useful!!!
Free Music Review: Asia's most well-rounded CD ever
Hit: 5 Stars
"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.
Free Music Review: "25 years late - but well worth the wait"
Hit: 5 Stars
In early 1984, after months of internal struggles, guitar superstar Steve Howe was asked to leave the group. With Steve's departure, the band lost it's focus and went totally pop, losing a great deal of it's audience as well.
The next few years saw a myriad of changes in the band's personnel and sound. Though much of it was interesting, it still wasn't the original band.
In 2006, the original quartet reformed for 2 years of tours, and an outstanding live CD & DVD.
What the fans really wanted was a new studio recording just to show that the group still had it.
In the spring of 2008 - 25 years after the original group's last release, "ALPHA" - the original Asia rose from the ashes with th appropriately titled "PHOENIX".
The Tracks:
The album sounds like vintage 1980's Asia, more than likely how a 3rd album would have sounded back then.
John Wetton's solo composition "Nothing's Forever" is punctuated by Geoff Downes' trademark brass stabs and layered strings on keyboards, while Steve Howe switches from acoustic to steel guitars with ease. John's layered vocals tell us plainly to "live for the future".
"Heroine" is a classic power ballad. Simple, emotional & to the point.
"Sleeping Giant"/"No Way Back" starts out with Geoff's keyboards laying out a foundation typical of 1990's Asia output, while Steve adds jazzy electric guitar and Coral electric sitar which are reminiscent of his work with Yes. The instrumental opening segues into the vocal portion, which features John's strong voice and wah-wah bass. Following the vocal section, the intro reprises to a conclusion.
"Alibis" is a leftover song from the aborted 1984 sessions.
Credited to all four members, first part of the song is classic Wetton/Downes song writing. Hooks galore, multi-tracked harmonies, and excellent solo from Geoff & Steve are all Asia trademark arrangements. The 2nd half of the song is obviously the Steve Howe/Carl Palmer contribution. A 4-chord vamp typical of Steve's solo output with Carl's assorted percussion sets the backdrop for Steve's jazz/rock guitar solo. Very 1982.
"Shadow of a Doubt" is "Don't Cry" revisited.
"I Will Remember You" is a haunting ballad in the Wetton tradition, that tugs at the heart strings.
The album's progressive piece is a 3-part epic.
"Parallel Worlds" features one of John's best ever vocals and Steve's tasty electric 12-string.
"Vortex" is segued into by Geoff's piano & Steve's guitar, with a staccato figure that sets the tone for Carl Palmer's supreme moment on the album. Double bass drums combine with rapid fire snares and tom toms.
"Deya" is the calm after the storm, a quiet nylon string and steel mood piece.
The track least at home on this collection is "Orchard of Mines", the one non-group composition they ever recorded. It's the one weak link on the album.
Steve contributed two solo compositions to the album.
The first "Wish I'd Known All Along" is the the type of song that Yes would have recorded, and the presence of Steve on harmony vocals, His high speed guitar breaks & Geoff's 'Yes-type' keyboards, reminds us where these guys came from.
"Over & Over" is a 1984 leftover that other than John's vocal is Steve all the way.
The albums closer " An Extraordinary Life" is a wonderfully optimistic feel-good song that's one of the group's very best.
My favorite track, however, is the opener, "Never Again".
Steve's Gibson ES Artist is showcased from the distortion-soaked opening riff, to the Fenderesque bridge tone, to the bluesy/jazzy end solo.
Geoff's textures are just right.
Carl's speedy high hat and rounds on the toms are rock solid.
John's vocal strong and proud as he vows 'never again' to wish evil on another.
A magical performance; the best since the first albun.
Asia rose from the ashes, and the dragon met the phoenix. A must-have for Asia fans.
Free Music Review: EXTRAORDINARY ACCOMPLISHMENT - 25 YEARS LATER!!!
Hit: 5 Stars
The 1982 release of "ASIA" was the first cassette album I purchased for my walkman (remember those?) back in the beginning throws of my teenager years. It opened a personal path for me to hear music that would become mine. 'Mine' in the sense that it wasn't the music my parents had me listen to, nor music others were into that I did not enjoy. The music of Asia provided me much needed solitude while riding my bicycle around the city bike paths and gave me a sense of freedom and escape from the stresses of youth. I connected with the music very quickly and found myself almost always selecting Asia as the band of listening choice when going on my rides.
Music is a very personal thing. I never find it worth while to spend time writing how I hate a band or their music. This being the first and only review I have written should lend some idea as to just how much I have enjoyed the music from the original Asia lineup. I not only loved Asia's debut album, but the "ALPHA" album continued to fill my craving for music I could connect with. Even to this day, these albums transfer me to a time gone by and allow me to reflect on my youthful past. It wasn't just the lyrics I liked, but the MUSIC.
I was excited to learn of the band's reunion and trip to the recording studio. These four musicians bring together talents that are becoming more rare in the music field. While "PHOENIX" brings elements of their trademark sounds from the early 80's, the maturity of each contributor is evident on this record. John's voice is in absolute top form. Steve, Geoff, and Carl give proper attention to the instrumental work. If you carefully listen each time you play the album, like the "ASIA" and "ALPHA" albums, you will notice and, hopefully, appreciate the intricate layers of sound, vocal harmonizing, and wonderful musicianship that went into the making of "PHOENIX". The songs have become imbedded in my head and I have a hard time listening to anything else since purchasing the album.
I highly recommend this album to any fan of the original ASIA. Listen to it. Not just once, but OVER and OVER. Hear the beautiful music that works so well together. Each song has qualities of a gem within them and all of the songs flow well on the album.
My hat goes off to John, Geoff, Steve, and Carl for the EXTRAORDINARY work put into this album. I hope you will continue to work together in the future and provide more wonderful, quality music for us.
Free Music Review: The Spirit of Asia
Hit: 5 Stars
There were three absolutes in this world: death, taxes, and the fact that all 4 members of Asia would never play together again. Had you asked anyone in the know they'd have told you that by all indicators, there will never be an Asia reunion. Never. If they tell you different now, they're lying. This is the one reunion that wasn't supposed to happen, let alone a full length studio album of new material.
At one point, Wetton had confronted Downes with the assertion that the Payne Asia was not "the spirit of Asia." Downes reply was that "the spirit of Asia" had been dissembodied long before then, somewhere back when the Alpha effort broke apart. Truth be told, they were both right. No matter what the name or incarnation, we've not experienced the synergy of these 4 members since some time in 1983.
On Phoenix, "the spirit of Asia" is present. That's the best endorsement I can give for this album. Frustrated magazine critics like to quip that "this song is a cheap sister to that," and "this song is a poor cousin to that song," and "they were trying to imitate such and such." In my opinion, this album is so good that it's confusing. It's confusing because people didn't know what to expect, I suppose not even the band themselves. Maybe the greatest thing about this album is the fact that they did their due diligence and felt their way through authentic material. Yes, there is some formula, but in large part the art of the 4 members is on display. The pre-release sound clips were great, but they just don't do it. Listening to the entire piece of work lets you really get your arms around the concept that these guys are an ensemble. With all four of them, the whole is definitely greater that the sum of its parts. You have to listen to the album itself to get that.
Given the pressure of 25 years and the success of Asia Asia, I was actually afraid of a lethargic and robotic release. That's not what we got. This is an album that when you sit down and listen to it straight through(when's the last time you did that with any album), you don't even think about what it set you back to buy it. Courageous. Sincerely, Bravo.
That's the good news for the band. Now the bad news: 25 years between albums will just not due any more, we'll expect an offering every year and a half to two years. It's been too long! But well worth it!