just got back from ASIA ... - Page 2

DavidJ · 04-14-2008, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyD

and were would you have done that?

Just the little samples that Amazon provides with the product listing.

DavidJ · 04-15-2008, 03:31 PM

I picked Phoenix up this morning. Here is my review: I like it.

Obviously, I haven't spent much time with it, but my first impressions are good. I could easily see myself liking it a lot. I mean it is Asia. It's not like they significantly altered their sound for 2008. Still, there seems to be a nice maturity in the lyrics and the songs are well mixed and have a cohesive sound (they write some of the strongest choruses). Unlike some other aging vocalists it sounds to me like Wetton's voice has held up well. I'm looking forward to spending more time with this disc and Asia.

James Lee · 04-16-2008, 03:30 AM

Don't know how long it'll be posted but AOL has the entire new CD available on their CD listening party site here:

New Music Releases - Free Full CD Listening Parties - AOL Music

Just click on the album cover icon on the top scroll bar.

It's a fantastic CD. Asia is one of my favorite bands (and I'm proud to admit it) and I think it's better than anything they've done previously. I agree that there is a maturity in the lyrics and music arrangements that makes them sound contemporary today. This is one 80's comeback that I am really excited about.

Aaron Silverman · 04-16-2008, 02:17 PM

Thanks for that link!

DavidJ · 04-17-2008, 11:15 PM

No other comments? I've been driving a lot lately and have been able to listen to it more and I still really like it. The second half of the album is really mellow. I wish they had one more song with a little more energy toward the end. I still really like the songs though and "Extraordinary Life" is a good way to end the album.

James Lee · 04-18-2008, 04:25 AM

I just got my copy from Amazon. It'll take a few listens in the car to appreciate it, but from multiple listenings of the AOL link, I really really like it. Yes, a lot more mellow and nowhere as bombastic as some of the older stuff (which I never minded). It some of Steve Howe's strongest guitar work in a while too. The second half is better than the first half, in my opinion. Still, as a huge Asia fan, I am pretty psyched about the new release. I have tickets to their San Francisco show in early May, and I cannot wait!

An Extraordinary Life is a great song.

Kevin C Brown · 04-18-2008, 08:37 PM

Man, I don't like this at all. Way too "pop". Not enough of a progressive tilt. Even the 2 longer "suite" tunes don't cut it for me.

I really liked the 1st one. Didn't like the 2nd one either, which this ones sounds too much like.

TonyD · 04-18-2008, 09:23 PM

i like the record but i think it's too "easy" or soft.

i asked my wife what she thought and she called it mellow.

DavidJ · 04-24-2008, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin C Brown

Man, I don't like this at all. Way too "pop". Not enough of a progressive tilt. Even the 2 longer "suite" tunes don't cut it for me.

I really liked the 1st one. Didn't like the 2nd one either, which this ones sounds too much like.

I never found Asia to be all that progressive in the first place. In fact, I kinda thought that was the idea when this "supergroup" was formed. They always seemed to be more commercial than their lineage would suggest.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyD

i like the record but i think it's too "easy" or soft.

i asked my wife what she thought and she called it mellow.

I agree that it is fairly mellow and I would've liked the second half of the album to have included another tune like "Never Again." Still, it does not seem out of the ordinary that as they have gotten older that their sound would mellow some. I've mellowed a bit too over the years.

Kevin C Brown · 04-24-2008, 08:13 PM

Quote:

it does not seem out of the ordinary that as they have gotten older that their sound would mellow some. I've mellowed a bit too over the years.

Me too, but not enough to like this one.

Still don't like Alpha either.

Chris Lockwood · 05-04-2008, 01:23 PM

The title Phoenix makes sense, but aren't there any words left that begin and end with A that they could have used? Maybe Amnesia?