ALPHA

Supergroups are an interesting breed of bands. They come from different bands, sometimes one band, sometimes multiple. Bands like ELP and A Perfect Circle are great examples with the lead singers coming from different but extremely popular bands, Greg Lake in King Crimson, and Maynard Keenan from TOOL. However supergroups, despite having members from bands of differing genres, might not have the same genres as those bands with their members. One such example is Asia with Steve Howe from Yes, John Wetton from King Crimson, Geoff Downes also from Yes, and Carl Palmer from ELP. I always wanted to get into this band at some point, so when I found this album at a record store, I decided to get it too see what Asia was like.

The first song 'Don't Cry' kickstart this album. It is a cool and crisp song with beautiful synths, vocals, and some great guitar and drumming. Don't Cry sets a sort of standard for this album with the second track 'The Smile Has Left Your Eyes' continuing these trends, however establishing their own sort of flow and rhythms too them, however each song seems too do it better and better every time. Each song from My Own Time, The Goes On, and Eye To Eye continues these themes both lyrically and sound wise. Speaking of lyrics, most of the songs here are more focused on love and were written by Wetton and Downes on all of the tracks. I just thought that was neat. However my least favorite track here is True Colors. It still establishes the themes of Don't Cry too The Last To Know but it something about it kinda makes it forgettable, but after that song is over we got the awesome Midnight Sun that leads to the amazing last track Open Your Eyes.

So basically while having a more commercial and 80s sound, it is still an awesome record. Heck I don't really mind the 80s sorta sound too it, I think it actually makes the album sound cooler. Despite not being perfect I still enjoyed this record.