ALPHA

Asia have their heritage in the progressive rock and in some aspects of their music they are still prog rock. As on this, their second studio album "Alpha" from 1983 they use a beautiful Roger Dean cover with colourful and imaginative motives and bright light. The guitar on the record(Howe) and the keyboards(Downes) do some prog-like performances sometimes too. The album "Alpha" feautures Geoffrey Downes on keyboards, Steve Howe on guitars, Carl Palmer on drums and John Wetton on vocals and bass.

Asia plays a soft and quite conventional rock music with short pop songs that could be radio hit music. For a progressive listener it could be paintful to listen to these cheesy pieces without innovation even if the band could be playing prog. Though is it still something that makes me not want to leave this record but listen to it again and again. The compositions are just very nice and pleasant. It is clear that the band liked what they did and that they where happy and it makes me happy too. The music don't give me surprises and I could not hold this record very high. I must though say it's a good record.

"The heat goes on" and "Open you eyes" together with many other songs are the best and I like to recommeng this album to you anyway. Play this record when you want to feel light and joyful and perhaps when you are rollerskating. Three stars!