ASIA

This is a very enjoyable album if you are looking for a classic rock experience, so I based my entire review on this concept. If you are seeking for a progressive rock album you will be desapointed, because Asia is not a progressive rock supergroup, It is a AOR (adult oriented rock) group, despite its members are former musicians from legendary progressive rock groups, such as Yes, King Crimson and Emerson, Lake and Palmer. In fact, AOR does not get any better than this: "Asia" shows a strong repertoire, with some highlights that everybody knows, like "heat of the moment", "sole survivor" and "only time will tell". The LP itself was a huge hit all over the world, especially in the USA, staying for 9 weeks in the top of the charts. There are no weak tracks here, folks. The musicianship is at high level, both steve howe and Carl palmer plays basic rock tracks with a characteristic progressive rock touch ( wildest dreams for example) and the John Wetton/Geoff downes duo plays in a more basic way but complement each other very well. I strongely recomends to anyone who is searching for a excellent rock release. But if you are looking for a Progressive rock album, stay away. Individual scores: 1. Heat Of The Moment - 10/10 - almost perfect rock/pop song. It was a huge hit all over the world 2. Only Time Will Tell - 10/10 - steve howe shines even when he does not play many guitar lines. Another huge hit 3. Sole Survivor - 9/10 4. One Step Closer - 8/10 5. Time Again - 8/10 6. Wildest Dreams - 9/10 - Carl Palmer´s moment to shine with a short drum solo. 7. Without You - 8/10 8. Cutting It Fine - 7/10 9. Here Comes The Feeling - 6/10 - perhaps the weakest song in the album, but is not a bad one at all.