Asia

Astra
$6.98
Many years ago when the first album came out bough it with intense years> I found out that as my age progresses I tend to actually listen as I was at the opera ASIA has been my opera music. because they have mastered lyrics for the upper heavy metal croud. they are todays music masters.
I rate a five.

The Definitive Collection
$13.98
A perfect collection of Asia's early hits with bassist/vocalist John Wetton. The remastering is superb, and the songs have a punch like never before.

If I were to describe Asia's early sound (1982-1991), I would say that they sounded like a more commercial UK, with the production and ballads of Foreigner, mixed with fierce instrumental breaks and layered with gorgeous Beach Boys-style harmonies on the choruses. The debut album is diamond-solid and near-perfect; later albums got more watered-down and sappy; by 1992 there was different lineups, diversifying the sound and creating a smorgasboard of pop/prog influences.

Lyrics mostly reflected the endless cycles of love lost and found, with occasional forays into Sci-Fi and war. In other words, if you're young (or young at heart), these songs have the ability to really grab you. If they do, it can make you immune to the angry thrashing of those fat and bald 70's prog zealots.

Geffen got the tracklisting right this time (finally...), although they dropped two of the B-sides. The remix of "Go" is okay, but "Daylight" is simply stunning. A song that always reminds me of sunny blue-sky days, travelling or biking. This collection still features semi-crappy New Age cover art (and no Roger Dean painting), but I'll forgive them.

If you're new or unfamiliar with Asia, this is really all you need. If you're hungry or curious for their later world music/classic rock/prog-metal stuff in the 90's, grab Anthology. If you want full albums, start with the 1982 debut.

Note: Early Best Buy copies of this apparently came with a bonus DVD featuring all of Asia's videos from 1982-85 (including "Go", which was not on the Millenium Collection DVD.)

Asia
$60.00
Inspired by the beauty of distant countries, Asia celebrates the depth and grandeur of the Far East. The fourth volume in Abrams�� album-size collection of Olivier F���llmi��s photographs, this book presents the most exceptional images the artist took during his travels in Burma, Japan, China, and Vietnam, and many points between. The large format allows the photographs, their colors, and the places and people they capture to come alive in the reader��s hands. ?The photographs are accompanied by captions written by acclaimed journalist Virginie de Borchgrave that give detailed information about each image. The book also includes an essay by F���llmi, who describes his experience traveling in these regions. Asia is a celebration and invocation of the continent which has inspired many to dream.

Phoenix
$18.98
No one should have unrealistic expectation about what this album should be. i think we should feel good about what this album is....entertaining music with an overwhelming focus on nostalgia in places. Asia is not breaking new ground here but, were you really expecting them to? I personally had a great time with this record. There were three specific moments where You swear you are listening to the ASIA record from 1982. the opening track which all the other reviewers have flagged as good is one...kind of Heat of the Moment 2 if you please. My favorites are Shadow of a Doubt and the closing track really make me feel nostalgic. Overall a fine cd, certainly the finest offering by this band since AQUA. People, dont overanalyze this album just enjoy it on its own merits it really is a solid effort by aging musicians who are taking one more shot at recapturing lighting in a bottle...i guess "Only Time Will Tell" (wink wink!!)