I have followed the rock group Asia recently with some interest – because quite frankly I didn’t realize they had ever done much beyond their big hit debut and fizzled-out follow-up in the early 80s. But when I heard their last album ‘Omega’ my wish was that it was meant literally, as in their final entry. Because it was pretty dreary and mediocre.
So when I heard that they were coming out with a 30th anniversary re-release of their excellent original album, I was not surprised – but I was pleased. However, when I also learned they were releasing a new album called XXX with the original line-up, I was less impressed.
But now they have released the first single from the album, and quite frankly it is better than ANYTHING I have heard from the group since the original ASIA album. It has a bright spirit, a vibrant feel, tight production values, and the song itself is catchy and well written and played.
Legendary British prog rock supergroup ASIA are pleased to announce “Face On The Bridge” as the first single to be taken from their new studio album “XXX”. If you would like to play the single on your show, please download it from this official ASIA link – www.frontiers.it/download/prasia.html. The single is released digitally on iTunes this week.
ASIA’s new album “XXX” is released in the UK by Frontiers Records on Monday July 2nd. The album dovetail’s the band’s 30th Anniversary and features the original line-up of Geoff Downes (keyboards), Steve Howe (guitar), Carl Palmer (drums) and John Wetton (bass, lead vocals).
ASIA’s eponymous debut album, originally released in 1982, sold 10 million copies worldwide and spawned 6 hit singles including the global smash “Heat Of The Moment” – making it the biggest selling album in 1982. In October, the band will release the 30th Anniversary edition of their debut album as a box set with a previously unreleased bonus track and special features.
ASIA will embark on the UK leg of their 30th Anniversary Tour in December, with concerts in Tavistock, Holmfirth, Edinburgh, Salisbury, Birmingham, Manchester and London.
You can buy the radio edit of the single at iTunes, and here is the full music video:
I was always a fan of Asia and I saw them a couple of times live int heir heyday. I also have a number of their “not so popular” albums and all of their work alwyas had moments and spots of brilliance, but as albums they were flat compared to the first. Even their second album fizzled although it had pretty good singles (but it was muddled and disjointed as an album).
When the Buggles reunited for an anniversary performance of “VIdeo Killed the Radio Star” I wondered if Asia would re-unite for their anniversary as well (Geoff Downes was an integral member of both groups). Then I saw that the team of Wetton/Downes was performing and writing again under the name “Icon” and did some albums and a British TV specials (the “acoustic” versions of some of their Asia hits are very interesting).
Then the original line-up of Asia did re-form and we had “Omega”. The single from the album was intteresting and had flashes of the original Asia feel, but it felt sloppy and rushed to me.
Now this new single feels good. Not perfect. I think it’s lacking some of the energy of the first album, but that is to be expected, after all, these guys are 30 years older now! But it is still an excellent song and I have hope that the rest of the album will live up to the first single.
Nice to see them making it happen again!