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Asia is a prog band formed in 1981. It became a super group formed by four members that came from different prog rock bands of the 70’s. Wetton came from U.K. (previously from King Crimson), Howe came from Yes, Downes came from Yes (previously from The Buggles) and Palmer from Emerson, Lake & Palmer (previously from Atomic Rooster).
As many of we know, the 80’s were very difficult times for progressive rock music. Some bands disbanded like Gentle Giant and Van Der Graaf Generator, some nearly died like Yes and Kansas and others changed direction and became major pop acts like Genesis. But despite the decline of the interest for progressive rock music some artists, with progressive roots, managed to form new progressive rock bands. Maybe the best example of these bands was Asia.
And now a little bit of history. Downes and Trevor Horn, from The Buggles, joined forces with Howe, Chris Squire and Alan White, to replace Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman on Yes. The result was “Drama” and a world tour. But, soon became evident that Yes’ faithful fans would not accept Horn as a replacement for Anderson, and then Yes dissolved for a while. Coincidently, U.K. has dissolved too. Originally U.K. was a quartet formed by Wetton, Eddie Jobson, Alan Holdsworth and Bill Bruford. But after U.K.’s debut studio album, Bruford and Holdsworth leave U.K. The two remaining members brought in the drummer Terry Bozzio and U.K. continued as a trio and released a second studio album. However, due to internal difficulties between Wetton and Jobson, U.K. disbanded too. Meanwhile, after the big failure of their album “Love Beach”, Emerson, Lake & Palmer decided to disbanded. It was in this context that was formed Asia.
“Asia” is a good pop/rock album. However, it doesn’t bring you lengthy progressive songs. Still, does show a tight playing band with a very own sound. This sound is the result of the solid rhythm section, the effective sound and melody lines of Downes and the interesting guitar solos of Howe. Combined with catchy melodies, the right ingredients were here. The album features some real nice songs with easy listening. Still, the sound of the band is rough edged but, the music is very accessible. Out of its nine songs, not a single one is unmemorable and unelaborated. Even the most sentimental stuff is normally served under a tough rockin’ sound, with occasionally unexpected musical transitions and great drum work from Palmer. If you do have to have an overwrought, bombastic lead singer and can’t get Greg Lake, you can’t go wrong with Wetton. His voice is very powerful. So, he doesn’t need to strain it, and at the same time he’s got this nice tendency not to over dramatize things, which is great considering how most of the lyrics are just generic.
About the tracks, the opening track “Heat Of The Moment” is its biggest hit. It reached #1 on the pop charts. “Only Time Will Tell”, despite was composed by Downes and Wetton, the mocking guitar of Howe throughout makes this a real centrepiece for the album. “Sole Survivor” displays a definite 80’s sound, but with an interesting build in the beginning and a nice keyboard solo during the middle part. “One Step Closer” contains a good beginning which is a hybrid between the Yes and Kansas sound. This song is a true showcase on the album. “Time Again” is very energetic. Howe’s guitar solo here is perfect, Palmer’s drumming is great, the bass is very strong and the keyboards are nice. But, if there is any place on “Asia” where a hardcore prog rock fan can find some solace, it’s on the second side. “Wildest Dreams” contains some abrupt changes between verse and choruses and provides an extensive drum showcase for Palmer. “Without You” is a pleasant ballad, mellow throughout with interesting, moody parts. “Cutting It Fine” is the most interesting here with an acoustic beginning and an extensive piano instrumental by Downes in the coda. “Here Comes The Feeling” is a song with a strong melody and is a nice closer that ends the album with an optimistic way.
Conclusion: Whether we like it or not, the debut eponymous studio album of Asia was a very successful album in the 80’s. It contains their biggest hit “Heat Of The Moment”, which reached #4 in both the Canadian Singles chart and on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. However, for progressive rock fans it was, somehow, a deception. With so four talented progressive rock artists, which are responsible for some of the most important and brilliant pages in progressive rock music, we progressive rock fans, expected much more. However, we mustn’t forget that the 80’s were very difficult times for progressive rock music. In those times there was no more space for lengthy compositions and big conceptual albums, so usual and loved in the 70’s. However, “Asia” remains a great testament of the progressive rock music in the 80’s. That said though, it’s a fine album, which most aficionados of progressive rock music will probably enjoy a bit.
Tracklist for Asia:
1. Heat of the Moment
2. Only Time Will Tell
3. Sole Survivor
4. One Step Closer
5. Time Again
6. Wildest Dreams
7. Without You
8. Cutting It Fine
9. Here Comes the Feeling
As many of we know, the 80’s were very difficult times for progressive rock music. Some bands disbanded like Gentle Giant and Van Der Graaf Generator, some nearly died like Yes and Kansas and others changed direction and became major pop acts like Genesis. But despite the decline of the interest for progressive rock music some artists, with progressive roots, managed to form new progressive rock bands. Maybe the best example of these bands was Asia.
And now a little bit of history. Downes and Trevor Horn, from The Buggles, joined forces with Howe, Chris Squire and Alan White, to replace Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman on Yes. The result was “Drama” and a world tour. But, soon became evident that Yes’ faithful fans would not accept Horn as a replacement for Anderson, and then Yes dissolved for a while. Coincidently, U.K. has dissolved too. Originally U.K. was a quartet formed by Wetton, Eddie Jobson, Alan Holdsworth and Bill Bruford. But after U.K.’s debut studio album, Bruford and Holdsworth leave U.K. The two remaining members brought in the drummer Terry Bozzio and U.K. continued as a trio and released a second studio album. However, due to internal difficulties between Wetton and Jobson, U.K. disbanded too. Meanwhile, after the big failure of their album “Love Beach”, Emerson, Lake & Palmer decided to disbanded. It was in this context that was formed Asia.
“Asia” is a good pop/rock album. However, it doesn’t bring you lengthy progressive songs. Still, does show a tight playing band with a very own sound. This sound is the result of the solid rhythm section, the effective sound and melody lines of Downes and the interesting guitar solos of Howe. Combined with catchy melodies, the right ingredients were here. The album features some real nice songs with easy listening. Still, the sound of the band is rough edged but, the music is very accessible. Out of its nine songs, not a single one is unmemorable and unelaborated. Even the most sentimental stuff is normally served under a tough rockin’ sound, with occasionally unexpected musical transitions and great drum work from Palmer. If you do have to have an overwrought, bombastic lead singer and can’t get Greg Lake, you can’t go wrong with Wetton. His voice is very powerful. So, he doesn’t need to strain it, and at the same time he’s got this nice tendency not to over dramatize things, which is great considering how most of the lyrics are just generic.
About the tracks, the opening track “Heat Of The Moment” is its biggest hit. It reached #1 on the pop charts. “Only Time Will Tell”, despite was composed by Downes and Wetton, the mocking guitar of Howe throughout makes this a real centrepiece for the album. “Sole Survivor” displays a definite 80’s sound, but with an interesting build in the beginning and a nice keyboard solo during the middle part. “One Step Closer” contains a good beginning which is a hybrid between the Yes and Kansas sound. This song is a true showcase on the album. “Time Again” is very energetic. Howe’s guitar solo here is perfect, Palmer’s drumming is great, the bass is very strong and the keyboards are nice. But, if there is any place on “Asia” where a hardcore prog rock fan can find some solace, it’s on the second side. “Wildest Dreams” contains some abrupt changes between verse and choruses and provides an extensive drum showcase for Palmer. “Without You” is a pleasant ballad, mellow throughout with interesting, moody parts. “Cutting It Fine” is the most interesting here with an acoustic beginning and an extensive piano instrumental by Downes in the coda. “Here Comes The Feeling” is a song with a strong melody and is a nice closer that ends the album with an optimistic way.
Conclusion: Whether we like it or not, the debut eponymous studio album of Asia was a very successful album in the 80’s. It contains their biggest hit “Heat Of The Moment”, which reached #4 in both the Canadian Singles chart and on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. However, for progressive rock fans it was, somehow, a deception. With so four talented progressive rock artists, which are responsible for some of the most important and brilliant pages in progressive rock music, we progressive rock fans, expected much more. However, we mustn’t forget that the 80’s were very difficult times for progressive rock music. In those times there was no more space for lengthy compositions and big conceptual albums, so usual and loved in the 70’s. However, “Asia” remains a great testament of the progressive rock music in the 80’s. That said though, it’s a fine album, which most aficionados of progressive rock music will probably enjoy a bit.
Tracklist for Asia:
1. Heat of the Moment
2. Only Time Will Tell
3. Sole Survivor
4. One Step Closer
5. Time Again
6. Wildest Dreams
7. Without You
8. Cutting It Fine
9. Here Comes the Feeling
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