- Audio CD (2 Mar 1993)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: Import
- Label: Imports
- ASIN: B000006SJI
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Audio Cassette | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 121,035 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
'Astra' is arguably Asia's most maligned album. Released in 1985, it followed on from the success of 1983's 'Alpha'. The only problem was that guitarist Steve Howe had left the band leaving a gaping hole musically.
Fortunately, 'Astra' doesn't suffer too badly from his absence and Krokus' Mandy Meyer is a half decent replacement.
'Astra' is a much more aggressive record than it's predecessor, and probably has more in common with the debut in terms of it's energy.
'Go' is a fine opener. A nice slice of stadium rock that gets things off to a roaring start. 'Voice Of America' is another big anthem with a sentimental lyric. An enduring track, which like 'Go' was a live staple for years.
'Wishing' is a charming rock ballad that once in your head, refuses to let go.
'Love Now 'Till Eternity' is one of my favourite numbers. Typically Asia, it's a good love song with some fine intricate playing. Mandy Meyer's guitarwork is reminiscent of Steve Howe at his best. A sadly overlooked song, well worthy of reappraisal.
There are some big showstoppers on 'Astra' too. 'Rock And Roll Dream' is a slight on fame and fortune. The point being that it's not all it's cracked up to be. John Wetton delivers a fine vocal performance here and Geoff Downes' dramatic keyboards give the track a real sense of theatre.
'After The War' is a top, top, finale. Again, it's stuffed to the gills with typical Asia flourishes and is a thought provoking lyric too. It acts almost as a sequel to 'Wildest Dreams' from the debut.
Unfortunately, there are one or two sticking points with 'Astra' which let the album down. 'Too Late' and the dubiously titled 'Hard On Me' are forgettable rockers. 'Suspicion' and the dreadful 'Countdown To Zero' suffer from awful lyrics and a cheesy 80's sound.
Also the production is overblown, and a little too beefy. A crisper, more vibrant production close to Asia's energetic live sound would have made 'Astra' a real stormer. Having said all that, it's nowhere as bad an album as it's made out to be, and with songs like 'Go' and 'Voice Of America', coupled with bigger tracks like 'Rock And Roll Dream' and 'After The War', Asia had created a clutch of new classics that could stand up with anything on the first two records.
Roger Dean's space robot cover is great too.
Not brilliant by any stretch but worth another look all the same.
Fortunately, 'Astra' doesn't suffer too badly from his absence and Krokus' Mandy Meyer is a half decent replacement.
'Astra' is a much more aggressive record than it's predecessor, and probably has more in common with the debut in terms of it's energy.
'Go' is a fine opener. A nice slice of stadium rock that gets things off to a roaring start. 'Voice Of America' is another big anthem with a sentimental lyric. An enduring track, which like 'Go' was a live staple for years.
'Wishing' is a charming rock ballad that once in your head, refuses to let go.
'Love Now 'Till Eternity' is one of my favourite numbers. Typically Asia, it's a good love song with some fine intricate playing. Mandy Meyer's guitarwork is reminiscent of Steve Howe at his best. A sadly overlooked song, well worthy of reappraisal.
There are some big showstoppers on 'Astra' too. 'Rock And Roll Dream' is a slight on fame and fortune. The point being that it's not all it's cracked up to be. John Wetton delivers a fine vocal performance here and Geoff Downes' dramatic keyboards give the track a real sense of theatre.
'After The War' is a top, top, finale. Again, it's stuffed to the gills with typical Asia flourishes and is a thought provoking lyric too. It acts almost as a sequel to 'Wildest Dreams' from the debut.
Unfortunately, there are one or two sticking points with 'Astra' which let the album down. 'Too Late' and the dubiously titled 'Hard On Me' are forgettable rockers. 'Suspicion' and the dreadful 'Countdown To Zero' suffer from awful lyrics and a cheesy 80's sound.
Also the production is overblown, and a little too beefy. A crisper, more vibrant production close to Asia's energetic live sound would have made 'Astra' a real stormer. Having said all that, it's nowhere as bad an album as it's made out to be, and with songs like 'Go' and 'Voice Of America', coupled with bigger tracks like 'Rock And Roll Dream' and 'After The War', Asia had created a clutch of new classics that could stand up with anything on the first two records.
Roger Dean's space robot cover is great too.
Not brilliant by any stretch but worth another look all the same.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Though the first two Asia albums are still easy find in the shops and on-line, Astra is hard to find brand new. It is a pity, as I have found this the most listenable of the first three albums. Possessing a harder edge to the sound, there is not a weak track on the whole album. The threat of nuclear war, a pre-occupation of the time, is a reoccurring theme of a number of the songs. Whilst Asia and Alpha have some classic tracks like "Heat of the Moment" and "Don't Cry", they have, in my opinion, a number of weak tracks as well. "Astra" is one album I can play right through without skipping tracks.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Astra is Asias most overlooked album as by this time steve howe had jumped ship and been replaced by mandy meyer,thats right who!The emphasis is less on the guitar histrionics and more on the excellent songwrighting.the production is very a.o.r. but the overall quality of the album is superb.john wettons vocals have never been stronger.next time you look at this album,dont hesitate,buy it.it deserves a place in your collection next to asias first and third albums,aswell as the timeless aqua.
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