- Audio CD (7 April 2008)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Frontiers Records
- ASIN: B0014PAFQ4
- Other Editions: Audio CD | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 90,614 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Overall, this is a great album with enough wonderful moments to justify a place in the collections of Asia, Yes and melodic rock fans everywhere. To its credit, Downes and Howe flex their musical muscles to great effect - Howe especially for the first time since the debut album despite only picking up three writing credits here.
The album's highlights include 'Never Again', one of Asia's greatest songs in any incarnation of the band combining the very best musical standards that they have long held. 'Alibis' is a real Eighties throwback but melodically to die for and a brilliant, though quirky, outro. The 'Parallel Worlds' trilogy is also very strong and varied, with a 'Rendezvous 6:02' feel seguing into an excellent Downes piece and rounded off with some haunting guitar-led prog that has shades of 70's Genesis. Howe's 'Wish I'd Known All Along' and Asia's cover of 'Orchard of Mines' also come across well, the latter highlighting just how great Wetton's voice is again.
The downside of the album is those tracks penned by Wetton and Downes that are moulded on the AOR-soft rock of their 'Icon' albums. Despite being galvanised by Howe's contributions they simply don't feel like Asia - and of 12 tracks, 5 fall within this scope. Accepting the superb 'An Extraordinary Life', reminiscent of the best of Wetton's solo career, the others are too alike to each other and to tracks on the 'Icon' albums.
That said, the album does clock in at 65 minutes, so it's not an enormous deficit. Also, it's much more varied (Icon stuff aside) than I expected and Asia haven't simply tried to recreate that sound of '82. All in all, a really creditable effort but if it was hoped that the decision to leave John Payne back in the office would be vindicated then it should be borne in mind that this is better than 'Silent Nation' it's not the measure of 2001's excellent 'Aura', which I would recommend to newcomers to Asia over this.
The album's highlights include 'Never Again', one of Asia's greatest songs in any incarnation of the band combining the very best musical standards that they have long held. 'Alibis' is a real Eighties throwback but melodically to die for and a brilliant, though quirky, outro. The 'Parallel Worlds' trilogy is also very strong and varied, with a 'Rendezvous 6:02' feel seguing into an excellent Downes piece and rounded off with some haunting guitar-led prog that has shades of 70's Genesis. Howe's 'Wish I'd Known All Along' and Asia's cover of 'Orchard of Mines' also come across well, the latter highlighting just how great Wetton's voice is again.
The downside of the album is those tracks penned by Wetton and Downes that are moulded on the AOR-soft rock of their 'Icon' albums. Despite being galvanised by Howe's contributions they simply don't feel like Asia - and of 12 tracks, 5 fall within this scope. Accepting the superb 'An Extraordinary Life', reminiscent of the best of Wetton's solo career, the others are too alike to each other and to tracks on the 'Icon' albums.
That said, the album does clock in at 65 minutes, so it's not an enormous deficit. Also, it's much more varied (Icon stuff aside) than I expected and Asia haven't simply tried to recreate that sound of '82. All in all, a really creditable effort but if it was hoped that the decision to leave John Payne back in the office would be vindicated then it should be borne in mind that this is better than 'Silent Nation' it's not the measure of 2001's excellent 'Aura', which I would recommend to newcomers to Asia over this.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
In an age where the so called hip new singers are what everyone is listening to I find it strange and sad that this superb offering from the original 1982 line up of Asia will be ignored. The reason why we listen to any music is because the musicians make sounds pleasing to the ears and write tunes that hook your brain and play over and over and you feel all the better for having listened to it. Being skilled instrumentalists also helps as is certainly the case with messrs Wetton, Downes, Howe and Palmer. So is this album relevant to 2008 ? Most certainly yes and here are my track by track votes and thoughts.
1) Never again. An echo back to the debut album complete with a similar `Heat of the moment' intro. Very familiar Asia fare immediately tunes the listener back to the Asia sound. 8/10
2) Nothings forever. Catchy hook, light arrangement but a good no.2 track for the album. 7/10
3) Heroine. An absolute gem of a track with a soaring chorus and haunting instrumentation rounded off by Howes sympathetic guitar solo. A real highlight. 10/10
4) Sleeping Giant/No way back/reprise. A very progressive type of song with an insistent chorus. 9/10
5) Alibis. Up-tempo song full of sumptuous instrumentation. Downes's keyboards here remind me very much of Rick Wakemans style. 9/10
6) I will remember you. A slow burner of the song with Wettons aching vocals and another one of those glorious instrumental breaks. 9/10
7) Shadow of a doubt. Another up-tempo effort but not one of the stronger songs. 7/10
8) Parallel Worlds/Vortex/Deya. Eight minutes of pure joy. The slow verses of the main song give way to some frenzied instrumentation in Vortex with Palmer playing like a man possessed. Then it's the calm soothing acoustic guitar playing of Deya that reminds me very much of Rodrigos Guitar Concerto. 10/10
9) Wish I'd known all along. A Steve Howe song with the man himself on backing vocals Insistent chorus makes this one to remember. 9/10
10) Orchard of mines. Inspired cover with soaring vocals from John Wetton. Very evocative. 10/10
11) Over and over. The other Steve Howe song and for me the albums weak point. 5/10
12) An extraordinary life. Absolute classic song with a very catchy chorus and personal lyrics from John Wetton. I cannot fathom out why this brilliant song is not on the Radio 2 playlist or perhaps the people who decide these things haven't heard it. Again Howes guitar sweetens the sound sooo much. A great end to a great album. 10/10
There is also an acoustic bonus version of `An extraordinary life' but this does not do the song justice.
In summary, a great return from the band and worthy purchase for any listener of good, tuneful music; the sleeve and packaging have also had a lot of love lavished on them too.
1) Never again. An echo back to the debut album complete with a similar `Heat of the moment' intro. Very familiar Asia fare immediately tunes the listener back to the Asia sound. 8/10
2) Nothings forever. Catchy hook, light arrangement but a good no.2 track for the album. 7/10
3) Heroine. An absolute gem of a track with a soaring chorus and haunting instrumentation rounded off by Howes sympathetic guitar solo. A real highlight. 10/10
4) Sleeping Giant/No way back/reprise. A very progressive type of song with an insistent chorus. 9/10
5) Alibis. Up-tempo song full of sumptuous instrumentation. Downes's keyboards here remind me very much of Rick Wakemans style. 9/10
6) I will remember you. A slow burner of the song with Wettons aching vocals and another one of those glorious instrumental breaks. 9/10
7) Shadow of a doubt. Another up-tempo effort but not one of the stronger songs. 7/10
8) Parallel Worlds/Vortex/Deya. Eight minutes of pure joy. The slow verses of the main song give way to some frenzied instrumentation in Vortex with Palmer playing like a man possessed. Then it's the calm soothing acoustic guitar playing of Deya that reminds me very much of Rodrigos Guitar Concerto. 10/10
9) Wish I'd known all along. A Steve Howe song with the man himself on backing vocals Insistent chorus makes this one to remember. 9/10
10) Orchard of mines. Inspired cover with soaring vocals from John Wetton. Very evocative. 10/10
11) Over and over. The other Steve Howe song and for me the albums weak point. 5/10
12) An extraordinary life. Absolute classic song with a very catchy chorus and personal lyrics from John Wetton. I cannot fathom out why this brilliant song is not on the Radio 2 playlist or perhaps the people who decide these things haven't heard it. Again Howes guitar sweetens the sound sooo much. A great end to a great album. 10/10
There is also an acoustic bonus version of `An extraordinary life' but this does not do the song justice.
In summary, a great return from the band and worthy purchase for any listener of good, tuneful music; the sleeve and packaging have also had a lot of love lavished on them too.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Now, this was a big surprise. Asia were never, ever on my radar. Being a prog snob, at the time I couldn't digest what Asia were offering on their debut album. It should have been a dream team for me, but it sounded to me like big stadium AOR FM rock. Lots of bluster, but little substance. Since then my view has mellowed, partly due to having enjoyed Wetton and Downes recent "Icon" albums, which may be seen as a blueprint for this reunion album. But "Phoenix" is a triumph. Being back together has obviously triggered the creative juices as the material presented here is first class. There is a beautiful balance here between the melodic pop rock of yore and a more thoughtful, instrumentally challenging sound. Just listen to the "Parallel Worlds/Vortex/Deya" medley, which climaxes in an excellent instrumental section, gradually building up till Carl Palmer produces some astonishing drum rolls. The opening "Never Again" is a typical Wetton powerhouse of a song and on the closing "An Extraordinary Life" Wetton's recent health issues have clearly put everything into perspective for him. But all the songs are given careful thought out and are wonderfully arranged and executed.
The playing throughout is excellent. All concerned are on top form and it's especially good to hear Howe relishing making new studio music with a band again. Wetton's voice has never sounded so good and Palmer works well within the tight constraints of the material, really adding some beautiful embellishments to the arrangements.
Mention must be made about Roger Dean's excellent artwork. The best he has done for many years. The layout is done by brother Martyn and makes for an all round top class package.
For me this album is a joy and a big, big surprise. It works on all levels. That these guys would ever get together again and play live was surprising. That they would make a studio album was even more so. That the resulting album would be this good is nothing short of a miracle!
The playing throughout is excellent. All concerned are on top form and it's especially good to hear Howe relishing making new studio music with a band again. Wetton's voice has never sounded so good and Palmer works well within the tight constraints of the material, really adding some beautiful embellishments to the arrangements.
Mention must be made about Roger Dean's excellent artwork. The best he has done for many years. The layout is done by brother Martyn and makes for an all round top class package.
For me this album is a joy and a big, big surprise. It works on all levels. That these guys would ever get together again and play live was surprising. That they would make a studio album was even more so. That the resulting album would be this good is nothing short of a miracle!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
... FROM THE ASHES
Great album guys, played it (loud) on the motorway coming back from London last night and couldn't stop doing so! Read more
Published on 27 Sep 2009 by S. REYNOLDS
A good album and a must for all all Asia and John Wetton fans
upon hearing that the original line up of Asia were going to release a new studio album and go on tour filled me with enthusiasm and expectency. Read more
Published on 25 July 2009 by Brian H. White
Outstanding
One of the best albums I have ever bought. I can't stop listening to it. A must by for Asia or rock fans.
Published on 25 July 2009 by Mr. Rhodri Thomas
Just Great
There isn't a bad song in this cd and 7 out of 12 songs are GREAT so what else u want ?
Just listen to tracks #1,3,4,5,7,8,12 and u are a happy dude. Read more
Just listen to tracks #1,3,4,5,7,8,12 and u are a happy dude. Read more
Published on 19 May 2009 by V. K. Manglaveras
A good come back, better than their 80s stuff.
I always think that Asia are one of those bands that suffered badly from poor 80s production. Their debut album contains many good songs but unfortunaltey they just sound bad. Read more
Published on 4 May 2009 by Mr. S. Lewis
Twenty five years later...
If, like me, you know every note and key change of Asia's first two albums, then this album is a glorious return to form. Read more
Published on 17 Jan 2009 by A. Britten
A FINE RETURN
Although I'd liked some of Mr Payne's work with Asia, for me John Wetton's voice is one of the hooks that got me into Asia when they started 25 years ago. Read more
Published on 20 Jun 2008 by The Doctor
Excellent!!!
Two words to sum up this CD: Quite simply they are "BUY IT!"
This album draws on much of what made the "Classic" Asia line up so special in the 80's with the releases... Read more
This album draws on much of what made the "Classic" Asia line up so special in the 80's with the releases... Read more
Published on 17 Jun 2008 by J. Knight
Asia's Greatest Nix
Although loving Never Again I've had to take drastic action to save me going off it quickly - with my MD player I've removed 6 of the 20 sung Never Agains and the second and third... Read more
Published on 4 Jun 2008 by robert
Another great album from one of my favourite bands
I have always been a big fan of Asia, whatever the line up. They have never made a bad album in my opinion. Read more
Published on 31 May 2008 by Ian Nind
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