ASIA

Wow! 5 stars for an Asia-album? But it's pop-music! Yes, I can see you thinking it.. But.. I disagree! This is a stunning album with four great prog-musicians creating short, accessible songs, packed full of beautiful melodies and tricky keyboard-parts. Geoffrey Downes isn't a Rick Wakeman, I consider him more as a keyboard- player like Kayak's Ton Scherpenzeel. Writing songs that won't take longer than neccessary, good melodies and arrangements. Yes, I think Downes' power lies in the arrangements. Take 'Only Time Will Tell'. Magnificent keyboard-parts in that song! And 'Cutting It Fine', where, after 3,5 minutes, Downes' makes his keyboards almost sound like an orchestra. Like the sun is breaking through after an enormous heavy weatherstorm. This is the U.S.' best selling solo-album ever, funny, for a band containing great prog-musicians. I want to note Steve Howe here particularly. Many compositions of him were found too 'Yes-like' by the other members. That wasn't the intention of this group. Although he played great guitar on the songs from this (and the second) album, later, he left the group. Fortunately, Howe rejoined Yes in 1989 and recorded a wonderful album with Jon Anderson, Bill Bruford, Rick Wakeman and Tony Levin. Later, Wetton and Palmer also left and only Downes remains today as an original member. This is the very best Asia record I believe.. And one of my favorite prog- albums. Yes, I consider this neo-prog, but more accessible and less lengthy. There's nothing wrong with that. As there is Marillion's 'Script For A Jester's Tear', there is this album 'Asia.' Period.