Asia - review added 22nd March 2010
Album Review: Omega (2010)
For fans of: Prog Rock... and maintaining the legend
'Super-group' Asia, formed from members of Yes, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, King Crimson and The Buggles, are back for their second studio since reforming in 2006. Omega follows Phoenix (and, a double live LP and DVD entitled Fantasia: Live In Tokyo) and sees the four original members - John Wetton on lead vocals and bass, Steve Howe on guitars, Geoff Downes on keyboards, and Carl Palmer on drums - continuing in fine form after their twenty-three year gap.
For the first time since their debut album, Asia worked with an outside producer on Omega. Mike Paxman (Uriah Heep, Status Quo) has done a superb job of making the album modern and relevant whilst keeping that classic Asia feel. To be honest, there are parts of the album that could have come from that debut.
The cover art - which for me is disappointingly cack - was designed by Roger Dean. I don't doubt he's a talented guy, but I could have knocked something similar up in ten minutes. Very disappointing and, well, this album deserved better.
The sound? As mentioned, some of the material harks back to the band's glory days - it really is that good and that 'Asia'. Other tracks mix pop, folk, prog and more. It's a well balanced release that ventures down numerous avenues and keeps you guessing what's coming next. The musicianship is exemplary, John Wetton is in superb form, and the writing sounds as fresh and interesting as you could possibly hope.
The opening of 'Finger on the Trigger' is cheesy and starts the album off on the wrong foot. Fortunately, as soon as the keyboards kick in, the song changes direction and magically becomes awesome. It really nods to Asia of old and is vying for contention with the finest songs they've ever written. 'Through My Veins' is a moody song that's good...if a tad depressing. The urgent sounding 'Holy War' is a big storytelling number with an epic vibe. It's not a song to sing along to, but it really is top-end stuff. Fans of early Asia will lap it up.
'Ever Yours' starts as a soft stripped-back ballad. It builds as it progresses and really is bloody brilliant. 'Listen Children' is completely the opposite. It's a speedy fun track with a bouncy personality and a really contagious chorus. 'End of the World' is one of the finest tracks on the album. The harmonized intro to the chorus is unbelievably catchy. 'Light The Way' is a bright track with another excellent multi-layered lead into the chorus. 'Emily' - a bonus track on some versions of the album - is pleasant airy song with a friendly nature. You need to check out the lyrics - they are rather amusing!
'I'm Still The Same' is hewn from the retro sound that litters Omega. It hints toward ELO in places and is definitely towards the top end of the album's tracks. 'There Was a Time' is a slower song with a big heart. It's vaguely Celtic in its folk-laden musings and is a very evocative track. 'I Believe' is yet another excellent entry with a monster chorus. 'Don't Wanna Lose You Now' is a slower finish to the album, but it doesn't lack for quality. It reminds me of Oasis, although not enough to be annoying...
I expected Omega to be good - after all the guys in Asia aren't exactly the worst musicians in the world - but it really is very, very good...excellent even. Not every song is an absolute classic, but several are and that's a big surprise. If you haven't taken any notice of this band since their first bite of the cherry all those years ago, now is as good a time as any to check them out. There are a lot of 'veteran' bands finding rude form in 2010. Asia is definitely one of them!
Check out... The opening track. How good?!
Track List:
01. Finger on the Trigger
02. Through My Veins
03. Holy War
04. Ever Yours
05. Listen Children
06. End of the World
07. Light The Way
08. Emily (Bonus track first pressing in digipak)
09. I'm Still The Same
10. There Was a Time
11. I Believe
12. Don't Wanna Lose You Now
Label: Frontiers Records
Artist's website(s): Asia , MySpace
