ASIA

OMG! Steve Howe joins pop group and makes a lot of money! HE SOLD OUT!!!!!!!

Riiiiiiiight! Gimme a break!

You see that 5-star rating? It means that this record is really good, regardless of the genre specification (staring at you prog elitists). Does it matter that a bunch of prog virtuosos got together to do pop/rock music? No; not one bit. I still have this album in my collection and pick it up from time to time to listen to something when I wanna feel good and happy. That's what this music is: feel-good pop/rock. Nothing more, nothing less. "HEAT OF THE MOMENT' and "SOLE SURVIVOR" are great songs with gorgeous melodies and Wetton's tuneful, if occasionally overwrought, vocals. I truly don't feel there's one weak point to this album. Yes, the production is a bit off, but there was nothing like hard-disk recording tecnology or ProTools for people to use. The drums and guitars aggressively soar and sweep, driving the songs along, and the harmonies and melodies are to die for. But beyond all that, this record is FUN! There are plenty of similarities to Yes' "90125", IMO...the big one being that the records both are a joy to listen to. I see this as a step forward, trying new things and seeing if they stick. Well, this stuck like to glue to nine million ears. And ain't trying out new things what prog is all about?