ASTRA

It was time of 1981 that this band appeared in the market of music attended with the pronoun of a super-group. And, the set by an already active four people might have been expected as a band that had to call a super-group indeed as a situation at that time. And, there might have been a part where the music journalist in all parts of the world had been doing attention and the expectation for the music character of Asia, too.

The expectation and the expectation where the appearance of this band was held in the music character of the set by an active musician in various bands might have been various. Past following and development of Improvisation. Or, the expectation called it might be a band seen in the masterpiece principle was expressed a little in another form by contraries. It was a music character with the quality in which a flavor that was unlimited and near POP and the element of dramatic were contained. And, the plan by the music of about four-five minutes was expressed as one of the charms of this band.

Their debut albums are put on the market in 1982 and have succeeded all over the world in making respect of marvelous sales contribute. The tune that the single is cut is made to contribute to the market deeply at the same time, too. It is likely to have made the listener announce "Alpha" in 1983 and offer one shape at the same time as an expression of their eminence and the music character.

The band that announces the second album in 1983 accomplishes the event from which "Asia In Asia" is called in December of the same year. This pattern was a content that MTV makes them deliver the concert in all parts of the world by the space relay. The concert that had been held in Japan commemorating the name of Asia was a large-scale content to which the satellite was relaid aiming at the world. However, the situation in the band changes gradually at this time.

Part of secession from temporary band by John Wetton. The band tries to get over the activity at this time as a substitute by participation by Greg Lake though it was in the situation of the predicament. However, Greg Lake secedes the band at once after the concert held in Japan. Perhaps, it is told that there was details set up in the substitute in consideration of the character of the voice of John Wetton and Greg Lake. However, it is said that it was necessary to change the progress of Chord according to the tune. And, the problem by the memory of lyrics might not have been an advantageous a situation at all for Greg Lake.

John Wetton joins the band again in February, 1984, goodness or more leaves, and Steve Howe has left the band immediately after this. Work to look for the guitar player for the band by using the period more than about half a year from this time continues. It succeeds though the rumor of the dissolution of the band went around, too in the embrace of a new guitar player in the band by John Kalodoner to which it takes charge of the director with Geffen as a result. The person was Mandy Meyer.

When April, 1985 was thick as the rumor of the announcement at first, the work of men who had started recording in November, 1984 for the production of the album was whispered. However, the pursuit of an elaborate rehearsal and an advanced music character has spent the period more than half a year by the time it reaches the master tape of the album at last. The performance part of the guitar concerning the recording of this album spends time on the completion of this album by saying that the sound source recorded adding about three guitar players besides Steve Howe and Mandy Meyer exists according to a certain theory.

The part thought about as some respects when thinking about this album might be in the point that the guitar player has alternated from Steve Howe to Mandy Meyer. The sound of the band might have given the listener a fresh impression and a powerful impression by this alternation. A technical part of Steve Howe accompanied individuality. It might be a well- known fact among listeners. However, the performance of Mandy Meyer might be excellent to put out the flavor by making good use of various tones.

Next, there might be respect where the directionality of the band and the union of the sounds were established to some degree by this album, too. The album might be ruled in this album attended with shape being refined for a sense of pop arranged in the whole volume and a dramatic part. It is said that John Wetton that has temporarily left the band writes and there were 20 accumulated tunes or more. In addition, after it joins the band again, ten tunes or more are being offered to the band. John Wetton and Geoff Downs extract the tune that narrows the tune from among this material and collects to the album finally. One mental part might be reflected in the album as for the part where Interior Minister respect of the part and man who appointed the war at the Kon futurity included in lyrics of the tune to the theme is drawn. By the way, "Astra" of the album name agrees with the shade of meaning of space. At first, the name where this album name was called "Arcadia" was given. However, it is said that it changed in haste because Duran Duran used the same name as another project.

As for "Go", a powerful rhythm and a grand melody rule the whole. The sound of the guitar is also variegated. Part of symphonic that flows to the whole. As for an expression of feelings melody, the music character of the band is expressed enough. It might be a tune a variegated sound of the keyboard and to emphasize the music character of Asia exactly.

"Voice Of America" gives the impression to which the sound of the keyboard that flows gently is refined. The sensibility of a powerful ballade that overflows overall is expressed well as a flavor of this band. The melody that rises gradually as a refined chorus and a progressing composition is a feature.

"Hard On Me" might be Rock where a grand melody of the band was expressed enough. The sound and the sequence of the keyboard give the part of symphonic. Twining of the sound of the guitar and a variegated sound also give the band a new impression. The tune has a grand melody as much as possible. The band including the parts of a few POP is performing well.

"Wishing" reflects making the sound in which the age is exactly reflected in the tune. The progress of expression of feelings in close relation to a steady rhythm and complete Chord might indeed have the flavor as Asia. A bright melody and the composition might give a good sense of security for the listener. And, the keyboard and the chorus are having the impression of the tune decided.

"Rock And Roll Dream" might have the part of the ballade with a little heavy atmosphere. Progress of expression of feelings melody. Or, the atmosphere of the tune is decided in union the band. Sound of guitar to give expression to one's feelings. Or, it is continuous of a variegated sound of the piano and the keyboard to introduce into the tune. And, majors Chord twine and an intensely advanced composition shows off proof of which the tune is not simply composed. The orchestra has been effectively introduced in this album. Passage where they exactly also gave the arrangement to the respect will be able to be discovered.

The feature in "Countdown To Zero" is to introduce a sound Kon futuristic. A variegated sound in which it listens to different one after another for the impression of the tune respect as a result might be proof into which they develop further. It listens to respect of dramatic of the tune from solo of the guitar and the introduction of the narration.

The part of the piano and the song with expression of feelings pulls the tune from Intro of the fanfare to "Love Now Till Eternity". The introduction of a grand melody and Syncopation might be the compositions of the tune in which they are skillful. Part of processing of beautiful piano melody and chorus. The processing of the part where the atmosphere of a little parade is recollected and the refined sound is expressed well.

As for "Too Late", the charm that the band has is expressed. Part of minor Chord and majors Chord using properly. Sound of keyboard that gives parts of a few Pop. The construction of the part of the sound of Rock of the guitar to it and the melody has a good flow. The tune gives the listener the impression of Pop/Rock refined as much as possible.

"Suspicion" is a tune with a beautiful melody. Part of song to express melody that gives sound of strings and feelings. Or, the union of the rhythm and the guitar is expressed well. There might be an impression that the atmosphere of the ballade and Rock exists together. The keyboard has succeeded in changing the impression especially by the tune and the expression.

"After The War" is Rock with the flavor of a very progressive part and good symphonic in the content of this album. Aggressive..rhythm..expression of feelings..melody..progress.Or, it is partial where a variegated sound and the rhythm are developed. The music character that the band had might be exactly consolidated in this tune to some degree. The composition is very moving.

This album might play the role of the compilation at this time as their music characters in the studio album that they left in the 80's.