Why Asia is prog?

Asia's first album is actually pretty good if you can get past expectations of an 80 minute epic based on the lost writings of Tolkien. True, it paved the way for some truly dreadful 80s stadium rock, much of it emanating from Asia themselves, but it's a strong collection of commercially flavoured rock with some superb playing (particularly from Howe) as an added bonus. As such, it's tons better than the pap Genesis and Yes churned out for much of the 80s.

every band who sounds like europe - final countdown gets my vote!