Asia - Phoenix
EMI
www.originalasia.com

Rating: B

The expectations for the reunion album are high as the original prog-pop supergroup returns to the studio for the first time in decades. Featuring the Buggles Geoff Downes, Yes’ Steve Howe, ELP’s Carl Palmer and UK’s John Wetton, Asia took the music world by storm with their debut album back in 1982. The band imploded over ego, massive success, differences in music vision and Wetton’s substance abuse issues. Now back the band has literally risen from the ashes and released a solid effort.

The album plays it a bit safe at times as Asia doesn’t really stretch out and hash out anything as exciting as "Wildest Dreams" or "Here is Comes" instead feeling confident to take it down a notch and stay within the realm of "Only Time Will Tell" and "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes." This is not to say it is a throwback album or a copycat outing as Asia’s new album is creative and well written – it is just not daring and bold.

The winners on the disc include the rocking "Never Again," the beautiful ballad "Heroine" and the classical based "Parallel Worlds/Vortex/Deya." The lyrics show Wetton baring his soul as a recent bypass surgery and sobriety have the smooth voiced muse reflecting on the things that matter most in life.

At the end of the day Asia has released what could be called a natural progression in this lineup’s history. The collection of music is thought out, brilliant at times and well executed but, we are sad to say, it does not have the same magic as the self-titled debut. A comparison, while inevitable and completely unfair, is going to happen. Phoenix is a good album and Asia fans will be happy with it. Another plus is the band taking back to the road. More time playing and feeling comfortable with each other will only lead to more music and that is the best gift these four musicians can give us.

– Jeb Wright