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| Phoenix | 
 enlarge | Artist: Asia
Label: Frontiers Records/EMI America
Category: Music
List Price: $18.98
Buy New: $10.84
You Save: $8.14 (43%)
New (35) Used (9) Collectible (1) from $8.90
Avg. Customer Rating:  137 reviews
Sales Rank: 5898
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
EAN: 5099921286926
ASIN: B00154GEFU
Release Date: April 15, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Never Again | | • | Nothing's Forever | | • | Heroine | | • | Sleeping Giant / No Way Back / Reprise | | • | Alibis | | • | I Will Remember You | | • | Shadow Of A Doubt | | • | Parallel Worlds / Vortex / Deya | | • | Wish I'd Known All Along | | • | Orchard Of Mines | | • | Over And Over | | • | An Extraordinary Life |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Asia's eponymously titled debut album in 1982 was both ecstatically received and the biggest selling album of the year. It spawned a trio of US top 10 singles in "Heat of the Moment", "Only Time Will Tell" and "Sole Survivor." Over the greater part of the 80s, Asia racked up 15 million in global record sales.
Rising from the ashes in 2008, the Multi-Platinum Supergroup Asia returns with "Phoenix," the first new album featuring the original line up in 25 years. With a revered musical pedigree, Geoff Downes (Yes, The Buggles), Steve Howe (Yes), Carl Palmer (ELP), and John Wetton (King Crimson) have returned to their hit making roots. Featuring the anthemic lead track "Never Again", and the poignant "An Extraordinary Life," Asia's revived the sound that made them radio staples.
Album Description
Japanese pressing of this full-length album comes with acoustic version of 'I Will Remember You' as the bonus track. King. 2008.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 132 more reviews...
 Icon III (Question Mark) April 15, 2008
61 out of 95 found this review helpful
Okay, I'll be the one to play both sides of the Asia camp since I can tell from the first five reviews no one probably will, or at least not yet. At first listen, this sounds remarkably like a John Wetton solo album. To the reviewer who states "Does anyone remember keyboards" where have you been for the past five Asia albums? Listen to their last album 'Silent Nation' and notice the keyboards which are probably more prevalent than in this new recording. And why is this the follow-up to 'Alpha' and not Astra? (oh, that's right, not all four were present for that recording) While I'll give this album a thumbs up for the original four getting back together and setting aside their differences this album is more on the mellow side compared to the debut as is the artwork from Roger Dean and it will be pretty hard not to compare to Asia of yesteryear since it's been 25 years since a release of the original four. But, if you listen to Wetton's solo projects or the Wetton/Downes Icon project this album could be just that. While I noticed the "keyboards" I also noticed the Howe 'Yes' sytle playing that he has become famous for. Carl Palmer's drumming could have come from anyone else out there and his playing really seemed to sit in the background. I'm trying not to be negative here, but I guess I expected more from these four, supposedly very talented musicians. I've stayed with Asia from the debut through the John Payne era and their last album 'Silent Nation' which I think was probably their best out of the five albums the group recorded with Payne. I will probably get blasted here for my review, but that's okay because, after all, this is just my opinion. Their two long compositions I seem to like the best because they portray the most progressive side on this album while the other songs are just good pop/rock songs and some just a little too slow for my taste. Maybe, it is because they are more mature, but I just wanted more. They borrowed the riff for 'Never Again' from 'Heat of the Moment' and 'Heroine' gets borrowed from 'The Smile Has Left Your Eyes'. Very disappointing. I'm not sure if the reviewers here are from the first two or three Asia album fans and have jumped back on the bandwagon or have listened to Asia throughout their career. Without Downes and Payne keeping the name of Asia alive since 1994 I feel it's very unlikely that there would have been a reunion at all and then this could have been the next Icon album from Wetton and Downes. Give credit to Geoff Downes for keeping Asia together throughout the years because he has finally come full circle with the original four back together again. Arguably, someone else will write a review discussing the differences between the original Asia and the Asia that Geoff Downes kept going because even if you didn't like John Payne's voice (and I would be in that camp more times than not) their music was some of their best especially on their last and probably, on the one that got shelved (Architect of Time) after the original four got back together. Overall, it's an okay album with enough to keep the original four Asia fan base very content. Happy listening however you view this album, good, bad or just middle of the road.
On a side note: for those of you who have thought that my 3 star review is too harsh, then check out RPWL and their latest release, "The RPWL Experience". Best album so far of 2008 and totally blows away this thrown together album by ASIA of leftover songs from the past twenty five years.
 From the ashes they did arise April 15, 2008
35 out of 40 found this review helpful
What seemed to be an impossible dream finally came true in 2006 when all four original members of Asia reunited on stage. Two years later, the band presents their long overdue follow-up to 1983's ALPHA, and it seems they haven't missed a beat. This album has all the hallmarks of the classic band, with the more introspective lyricism of Wetton's recent solo and ICON outings. Three songs date to the eighties, letting the band wrap up some unfinished business: "Deya," "Over and Over," and "Alibis" (previously known as "Jodie"). Furthermore, the verses on "No Way Back" sound strikingly like those from the Wetton/Downes tune, "Walking On Air," now attached to a catchier chorus. After the success of the Wetton/Downes ICON albums which helped pave the way for the full reunion, I was pleased to find that two of the most captivating songs were those written by Steve Howe. Surprisingly, one of the more haunting tunes, "Orchard of Mines," is a cover of a song from "Epicon" by Globus, and it is perfectly suited to John Wetton's voice. This is a mature album from a classic band; it almost makes me believe I've found myself in '82 again.
An extraordinary album April 16, 2008
25 out of 27 found this review helpful
When I learned that the original Asia was releasing a new album, I was struck with the thought that, yes, this was an event I never thought would happen, but at the same time this was an event ripe for a big let down. I will admit I have been a fan of Asia since 1982 and loved the first two albums (yes, I love the Alpha album, what of it?) I am also a fan of the Astra group, as well as the Live in Moscow 1990 Pat Thrall version of the band. I guess what I'm trying to say is John Wetton is the voice of Asia, and as long as his voice is there it will always be Asia.
This takes nothing away from Howe, Palmer or Downes. I only said Wetton is the voice of Asia, not the complete sound. Well, Asia did release a new album, and it's a wonderous thing. John Wetton is singing better than ever, and all four are playing with a unity and strength I thought I'd never hear again. Sleeping Giant/No Way Back/Reprise and Parallel Worlds/Vortex/Deya have to be two of the greatest pieces of music they have ever created. If you've followed John Wetton's ups and downs these past few years, the song An Extraordinary Life will have more meaning.
Steve Howe has written two great songs for this album as well. Wish I'd Known All Along and Over and Over are top-flight songs and show why Howe's complaint of not having any songs on Alpha is justified. Everyone is playing well, Wetton is singing well, and the song selection is just great. The original Asia has released a new album. Life is good.
A strong return for ASIA April 15, 2008
9 out of 13 found this review helpful
An excellent CD from start to finish. From the kickstart rocker "Never Again" to the powerful anthem, and my personal fave, "An Extraordinary Life," Asia has returned with a solid effort. A little something for everyone who appreciated their first two - and only two - albums with this lineup. If you haven't seen them in concert since they reunited, try to catch them on tour. Incredible musicians at the top of their game.
Welcome back John, Geoff, Carl and Steve. It's been FAR too long!
OK, time to slap the headphones on again and crank up "Phoenix" for another listen...
Asia's most well-rounded CD ever April 22, 2008
9 out of 10 found this review helpful
"Phoenix" is, I think, what Asia should have been from the outset. This is, in my opinion, the band's most varied album musically. I hear more of Steve Howe's contributions here than I did on either the debut album or its follow-up, and that's a definite plus. Howe reportedly left the band because he had been relegated to a bit player behind John Wetton and Geoff Downes, but the new album really makes up for that.
Wetton's voice is as rich as ever. I would never have guessed at his health problems based on his performance here, which so far surpasses anything John Payne (with his overly forced, throaty vocals) ever contributed to Asia-light. Not only does Wetton put Payne to shame as a singer, he runs rings around him as a songwriter, producing melodic pieces infused with heart and soul. This is not to say that Payne's work is altogether without merit, but more rather a tribute to Wetton's ability, creativity and musical instincts.
Some reviewers have commented that some of the material on the new CD seems closely related to the two Icon releases. But why shouldn't it? These two CDs are the most recent collaboration between Wetton and Downes and a natural precursor to "Phoenix." What's more, they're both killer albums in their own right. In fact, I'd venture to say that, despite its overall excellence, no single track on this album can equal the soaring grandeur of "To Catch a Thief" off the "Rubicon" release.
Here some hightlights from the album (you'll notice that most of the songs are covered here, which indicates just how good it is). In no particular order:
"Never Again" is a great title for the first song on the CD, reminiscent of the Eagles' reunion under the title "Hell Freezes Over." The original Asia's albums almost always start out with a hard-driving rock anthem, and this is definitely in that vein. I'm not sure it quite lives up to "Heat of the Moment," "Don't Cry" and "Go," but it's definitely a worthy follow-up to those classics.
"Over and Over" features the sort of guitar work prominent on Yes albums, circa "Going for the One" and Howe's solo album "Beginnings."
"Wish I'd Known All Along" is another great showcase for Howe, sounding alternatively jazzy and almost like Renaissance music. The musicianship is the kind of stellar display one expects from Howe, and he's unleashed here as he is on no other song in Asia's catalogue.
"Shadow of a Doubt" sounds like it would have been at home on Alpha - it's very catchy and melodic, and I can see myself listening to it time and time again (pun intended). I know a lot of people knock Alpha as too disjointed and not proggy enough, but it has always been among my favorites.
"Alibis" is an enjoyable enough tune, but listen to the instrumental outro. It's Howe again, providing what sounds very much like a Renaissance-era sequel to "Wurm" off "Starship Trooper." Like "Over and Over," it has elements of late-'70s Yes music to it, mingled with a lightness and airiness that would have fit in well on Alpha.
"Heroine" is a phenomenal ballad by Wetton very much along the lines of his solo tune "Arkangel" from the album of the same title. I loved that one, and this is a suitable follow-up. "I Will Remember You" is another stellar ballad that sounds like something from the recent Icon era.
I think Wetton's voice shines most on "Orchard of Mines," a brooding, almost melancholy cut that's among the most engaging on the album.
The album also includes two intriguing triplets that are more progressive than most of what Asia has produced before. My favorite of the two is anchored by "Parallel Worlds," a haunting tune that leads into two instrumental passages that provide the kind of textural variety that I haven't seen on any other Asia album.
The closer, "An Extraordinary Life," is melodic and anthemic at the same time, another highlight. It reminds me of the upbeat final track on "Alpha" - "Open Your Eyes" (one of my favorite Asia tracks of all time). Though not quite in the same class, it's definitely close.
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