ALPHA

When this band was formed I did not expect that it's gonna play something "prog". It's the same expectation I imposed on GTR which basically the project by which two guitar maestro wanted to play together in more relax fashion - out from prog vein. It was the case with ASIA. With this view in mind, I got no problem enjoying Asia first album which in fact "Time Again" and "Wildest Dream" became my morning call favorite. When this second album came out, I fell in love with "True Colors" (track 8). I did not know exactly why I liked it - it's probably I liked because the kind of combination of hard rock with symphonic style. I especially enjoyed it when the vocal sing "True colors .!!!" followed with great guitar work combined with keyboard. I repeatedly play True Colors especially when I need an energizer of the day - to lift up my spirit and emotion. Great track. The other track which also favored me was "The Last To Know" which has great keyboard work.

Well, I think that's exactly the strong point of this second album by Asia: the combination of symphonic keyboard work with hard rock music with sometimes it sounds like pop song. For example: "Don't Cry" which is definitely a pop rock song. But when it is presented with a combined keyboard and guitar work, I can feel something different with any typical pop rock song. The ballad "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes" is also an accessible song to enjoy for most people.

Through this second album Asia has proved their existence as a band with a hard rock as their main style combined with symphonic touch through keyboard and guitar work. It's a good album to enjoy and it has become one of Asia album that finally I converted from cassette to CD because I cannot afford for not having this CD in my rock collection. It's too good to be missed, I think. This is one of my favorite rock albums. All members of the band play excellently here. I like Wetton voice, Howe guitar style and Downes keyboard. Keep on proggin' ..!

Progressively yours, GW