ASIA

Of course I have to listen to Asia's first record too and not just their second and third. Asia uses to have Roger Dean's paintings and they did it from the beginning. 1982 came their debut album called "Asia" with an artistic cover picture showing a water dragon in blue in the sea and we see the straight Asia sign above. Asia was Geoofrey Downes on keyboards and vocals, Steve Howe on guitars and vocals, Carl Palmer on drums and percussion and last but not least John Wetton on bass and lead vocals.

This was a so-called prog super group with members famous from some of the best prog bands in the seventies. Now though was it the eighties and the "Asia" production was not especially progressive at all. They did soft and easy listened pop music with some prog signatures. The best song on the album is also the one which I think i most similar to prog: "Time again" which is a intelligent and cool rock song with typical Yes' guitar plays(7/10). The first song "Heat of the moment" which is Asia's biggest hit ever is also a pleasant history, very catchy and fast, with a flow, though quite silly(6/10). Many songs hold a high quality. "Only time will tell" is fine pop from the eighties(6/10) and "Wildest dreams"(6/10) has also a lot of shown feelings as well as "Without you" where I especially like the instrumental parts(6/10) and "Cutting it fine" which is quite pretentious. The least interesting song is "One step closer" that I just think is enerving(4/10) and I don't like the closer "Here comes the feeling"(5/10) either.

As a full album the result is rather decent. it gives the listeners pleasure when they listen but at the same time it doesn't give them anything special. It is not a fantastic experience to hear this music but it is not bad at all. Three stars!