Asia ‘XXX’
album review
Released
on: Frontiers records. Release date: Available now
OK, I
know, this album has been out for a little while (July ... ), but the copy I have, I misplaced
and got sidetracked and lost track of wrapping this review up. My bad sorry,
but the review is here now, because it deserves to be!
Asia is a
band with so much history and no, I am not going write all that here!
Come on
folks, the band’s first album was released in 1982 … Yes, thirty years ago, cue this latest release,
‘XXX!’
I will say
this though, in the beginning there was the classic line up of John Wetton
(King Crimson, Roxy Music, Uriah Heep, UK) on bass / lead vocals, Steve Howe
(Yes) guitars, Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake and Palmer) on drums and Geoff Downes
(Yes, Buggles), they released the first two albums and then everything more or
less started to go into disarray.
The one
mainstay throughout all the lineup changes has been Geoff Downes.
In 2006
all the original band members, patched up their differences and were together
once more and in 2007, they set about recording ‘Phoenix’ which was not
released until 2008, delays were mainly down to John Wetton health (Heart)
problems.
Today the
band are still complete, and are currently out touring again in support off
this new, very good album.
‘Tomorrow
The World’ opens the album with a gentle intro before kicking in with very
familiar sounding class melodies. They seriously have gone back to a very
familiar sound and that no knocking of either ‘Phoenix’ or ‘Omega’ as they have
their own merits, no question, but this album certainly echoes so much more of
what got them attention originally.
Great
hooks, especially from Downes and a very, very strongly written up tempo song
indeed.
The
strangely titled ‘Bury Me in Willow,’ starts with a chugging not too heavy a
riff and then gets into the traditionally catchy Asia pre and full chorus. It’s
a really beautiful song, it’s up tempo in place, but also has its more
restrained moments. It’s a great song, even with the odd title.
‘No
Religion’ is way more up tempo and wow, some almost dirty chords here too!
It does
come down a bit about halfway through, before some dirty chords and brief solo
from Howe.
Some great
solo moments here throughout generally too, love the keyboards especially.
What can I
say, yet another strong hook ridden song.
With
‘Faithful’ it’s quite the atmospheric ballad initially that then picks up in
the second half, beautifully put together.
Every song
on here, the more you listen to it, you just here so much more to each one, so
much multi-tracking, but then that was the power of Asia originally.
‘I Know
How You Feel’ is a mid tempo piece, starting with sequencer like keys, almost
like Supertramp’s ‘Logical Song,’ but quicker, then the songs gets into its own
groove then the keys are there again, before it becomes more intricate and
nicely develops and grows into something more.
There’s a
piano start to ‘Face on the Bridge,’ before it kicks into its stride, good old
sub-funky bass line, then it grows into a much more up tempo track. A strong
vocal harmony line in the choruses leads into some nice solo guitar work from
Steve Howe and then back into the song. Sounds right at home in Asia territory!
A big
intro for ‘Al Gatto Nero’ next and then it’s into familiar Asia turf, with
wonderful melodies and much more, even with John Wetton’s little Italian sung
moments. Good one!
Next up
‘Judas’ is another slice of magic and rich melodies, keyboard flurries, sweet
guitar fills, harmony vocals and it’s just glowing!
Closing
track here is ‘Ghost of a Chance,’ starts gently with simply piano and John’s
vocals, before John plays some easy going bass lines and Steve plays some
beautiful accompanying guitar briefly, then it’s back to piano and vocals and
then the full band comes in.
Carl
Palmers playing here and throughout, although not mentioned until now is simply
exemplary!
The man is
perfect and yes, I know I’m a drummer, but I say it now, because he deserves
huge praise.
For all
the man’s intricate fills he does, it’s never same old, same old, it's never boring,
far from it, but it fits so slickly in that people may take it for granted.
Listen to
the album, any Asia album and just for once, focus on the drums. The man is a
genius!
It’s
amazing some of the stuff he does and I’ve seen a drum clinic he did once,
phenomenal! If you get the chance to see him play, with Asia or outside of the
band, it is a ‘must do’ chance.
A great
release from the band! Good old Asia!
Rating: 4.25 out of 5
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