Asia - Phoenix
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Free Music Notes for Phoenix
Free Music Review: Get this NOW! It's GREAT!
Hit: 5 Stars
The original lineup of Asia has triumphantly returned. This is the finest album I have heard in several years. It's even better because this is original Asia's return. I've bought every Asia album over the years. Once in a while a song was good. This album is G-R-E-A-T.
The opening song "Never Again" is a big arena rock song. Great opening for this CD. The best is later in the CD. Song #8 is the second combination song: "Parallel Worlds/ Vortex / Deya". The ending of this song is comparable to "Cutting It Fine". Song #10 "Orchard Of Mines" is the very best Asia song ever. Yes I said 'EVER'. Up to this point "Only Time Will Tell" was the best song ever.
Track 1, 8 and 10 have been repeating on my car stereo, on my work computer, and right now as I type this.
There is only one issue with the songs. They are songs which have a great sound. Don't look to deep at the lyrics. Many of the songs have repeating lyrics to the point of being ridiculous. On " Shadow of a Doubt" you'll wonder if your CD is skipping! Some issue with "Never Again". The opening of "Nothing's Forever" had a annoying trumpet sound which repeats too many times.
Summary: Asia has made me as happy as the day I received the first Asia album on tape in 82. Phoenix is worth every penny. There is no reason to debate purchasing this album. You won't regret it if you are a fan of the original lineup. If you are a rabid fan of the Aria and Arena albums this may not be for you. This is not as hard edged or strained as those albums.
I hope Asia continues with or without the original lineup but this album shows that the original lineup is key to the creation of a truly memorable album.
Best to worst (there are no worst Asia albums...but one has to be last!)
Asia
Phoenix
Alpha
Astra
Silent Nation
Arena
Aqua
Aura
Aria
Free Music Review: Very good listen
Hit: 5 Stars
Being a fan of the work of all the members of Asia and Asia in particular; and after seeing Asia in concert last year, I was very excited for Phoenix to come out. I had the following thoughts on the album. Forgive the disjointedness of my comments.
1. The album sounds as though it could have been lifted from around 1985. That's not to say it's a bad thing. If you liked Asia, Alpha and Astra, you will enjoy this album.
2. One of the things I loved about Asia and Alpha was the breadth and depth of the sonic landscape that Howe and Downes crafted. Listening to those albums, for me at least, always took me to another place. Phoenix does much the same thing for me. This is also what separates Asia music from Icon efforts or Wetton solo discs for that matter.
3. Both Steve Howe and Carl Palmer really play within themselves and the songs. There is nothing over the top from either of them; however there is plenty of great playing in the context of the songs.
4. Is it me, or does Steve Howe tend to play slightly behind the beat on a good number of his solos?
5. Don't expect full blown prog. Asia was never "that kind of prog."
6. Steve Howe contributed a great song, "Wish I'd known all along," complete with a very cool sounding background vocal (surprise).
7. John Wetton is in fine voice.
8. As much as I loved the first three Asia albums, I've always felt that Alpha and Astra suffered from some sort of overproduction that seemed to muddle the sound. On Phoenix, it seems the band managed to separate out the textures better.
9. "An Extraordinary Life" can't help but make one feel good. At the risk of ruining the review for some of you, its chorus could almost serve as a breakfast cereal commercial. Someone better call the Wheaties people.
10. Phoenix is packed full of very strong melodies.
Free Music Review: Asia Is Back!!!
Hit: 5 Stars
One of the best progressive bands of the 1980s, Asia gave us nothing but the best progressive rock. Featuring John Wetton (of King Crimson, Uriah Heep and U.K. fame), Steve Howe (of Yes fame), Geoff Downes (of The Buggles and Yes fame) and Carl Palmer (of Emerson Lake & Palmer fame), the group released three superb records in the eighties.
It's so cool to have them back! I had heard rumors for months before this had been released that after the tour that the band had planned to go back into the studio to record a new record.
And the result is perfection. I think this should have come before 'Astra,' personally. Wetton's voice is superb; it's a little deeper and huskier than in the eighties, but it's just awesome. At 58, Wetton's voice is awesome.
The highlights here for me are 'Never Again,' which features great keyboard lines from Geoff Downes throughout, 'An Extraordinary Life,' a tune that I think would have sounded great on 'Alpha,' and 'Sleeping Giant/No Way Back,' an epic Asia tune.
The whole record is great, though. This is a superb album for any Asia fan. This is highly recommended for anyone who loves Asia like I do. If you were disappointed with 'Astra,' than you'll love 'Phoenix' even more. This record won't let you down.
It's not a masterpiece, but it's easily one of the best records of 2008. I've been waiting for an Asia comeback for a long time, and here it is! And it's even better than I thought it would be!
Highly recommended for any Asia fan.
ENJOY!!!
Free Music Review: The 80s Good Music is Back Again - Thanks God
Hit: 5 Stars
I am one who always praise for the 80s when it comes to music. Not only the pop music, not only for the new wave, but also for rock music. After the 70s, rock music has been reinvented and gained a whole new sonority, even with new subgenres arising out of it. Let's think of Asia not a representative of progressive rock, or rock music in general, but as a representative of good and well played music, whichever category it fits into.
After listening to "Phoenix", I played Anthology just to make a new revisit on what these guys used to do and compare to this new release. I have to admit: after all these years, their sound haven't changed a single thing. Artists and bands who are constantly releasing new albums every two or three years tend to change dramatically over the years and end up losing identity over time, usually for worse. The good thing about Asia is that, once they haven't been around with new releases for more than a couple of decades, they didn't feel the need to change anything.
"Phoenix" is a ride back in time, but with fresh new songs. It's so related to their previous works that one might think that this record is made up of previously unreleased stuff, but they were recorded recently. All tracks are pretty enjoyable, and my special favorites are "Alibis", "I Will Remember You", "Shadow of a Doubt", all right in the middle of the album.
Viva Asia! Welcome back to the map of music!
Free Music Review: An extraordinary album
Hit: 5 Stars
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.