ASIA

Back in the 80's, during the days when Prog was "dead" to many, this group seemed to me to bring a new breath of air into my music world. I listened to this countless times, saw them in concert, and even met 3 of them Downes, Palmer, and Howe. Back then I would have rated this at least a 4 1/2 stars. Think of it- guys who played with King Crimson, Uriah Heep, ELP, Yes, etc...how could it possibly be bad. Well it be. This was a product of it's times and also mine. But times have changed. My taste have become more "sophisticated", I suppose, and this album has lost it's luster and now seems very dated and "of it's time". Most of the album that I long ago considered Prog, now seems just arena-rock with bombast and cheesy lyrics. The musicians are great, the singing is typical Wetton, great but, alas, I can only give this effort 2 stars.