Italian Import
Note: the CD I listened to was the Deluxe Edition with 2 bonus tracks and a DVD.
Never EVER do a Google image search for "Asia XXX". Sickos. The XXX of the title refers to the 30 years that had passed since the band's debut album.
Still riding the dragon's wings. This isn't the best complete album the band has released since their original members reunited in 2007 (that would be Phoenix), but it does contain some of the best songs the band has written since the early '80s. In fact, if this had been released in 1984, it would have smoothly continued the band's tradition of catchy 5-6 minute prog-pop songs with bad lyrics. I think Mike Paxman's production is much better on this disc than Omega, but still yearn for a little harder edge and more guitar. Speaking of guitar, Steve Howe recently left the group again, but the band hired a new guitarist and will carry on. For me, that means when a new Asia album is released, I'll be listening closely to samples before purchasing instead of blindly buying new releases unheard.
Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: #134
Tracks: The best songs are Tomorrow The World, Bury Me In Willow, and Face On The Bridge. Skip the tracks Reno (Silver And Gold), Ghost Of A Chance, the "Midnight Mix" of I Know How You Feel, and the silly call-and-response of Al Gatto Nero.
The bonus DVD contains a 20 minute "making of" featurette that looks like it was shot on an iPhone with an Instagram video app. Also included are music videos for Face On The Bridge and Faithful. Only need to watch once and I'm guessing all of this disc can be found on YouTube anyway. I should have just bought the regular edition.
Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None
Previously revisited for the blog:
Omega (2010)
Phoenix (2008)
Fantasia: Live in Tokyo (2007)
Alpha (1983)
Asia (1982)
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