Phoenix

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-06-20 rating:
A FINE RETURN
Although I'd liked some of Mr Payne's work with Asia, for me John Wetton's voice is one of the hooks that got me into Asia when they started 25 years ago.

His solo material was generally a good listen, and I enjoyed the "Icon" albums. This, however, is better still. A good mix of classic Asia-of-old material & more modern sounding prog rock with some really fine instrumental work, particularly from Steve Howe (for whom the years may be taking their toll aesthetically judging by the photo on the back cover, but he can still play extremely competently).

A number of highlights already mentioned by other reviewers, but the two 8 minute mini-operas do stand out. A thoroughly enjoyable listen for Asia fans and new recruits alike.

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review by: date: 2008-06-17 rating:
Excellent!!!
Two words to sum up this CD: Quite simply they are "BUY IT!"

This album draws on much of what made the "Classic" Asia line up so special in the 80's with the releases of Asia and Alpha. However it has a sprinkle of freshness bringing it all up to date.

The song writing is excellent - in fact I don't think there is one bad song here. It's been playing non stop at home and in my car since I got it.

Wetton's voice sounds as great as ever, and the playing and production values are as high as you would expect from a band of this calibre. I really can't fault it.

So what are you waiting for........BUY IT!

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review by: date: 2008-06-04 rating:
Asia's Greatest Nix
Although loving Never Again I've had to take drastic action to save me going off it quickly - with my MD player I've removed 6 of the 20 sung Never Agains and the second and third sung choruses, and my final almost 4 minute version sounds even better without needless repetition. Asia copy themselves on the guitar intro, which is rather ominous for the remainder of Phoenix. On Nothing's Forever, the instrumentation after the Beach Boyish start rudely interrupts what is a lovely song. Heroine is a great tune, but the lyrics make it unlistenable to me, because having become an Asia fan through the poppy Buggles route I'm not shock proof enough to cope with a lyric with razor blade and heroine in it. I'll leave track 4 comments to anyone who likes it. I hope the melody in the verse of Alibis grows more on me because I like everything else about it. The same almost goes for I Will Remember You, in which one 2 or 3 times sung line is the same words and tune as in an Abba song called I Wonder -
"these streets and these houses" and this part of an Abba melody is repeated in the flute solo! Should Have Seen It Coming is a good ELO like track. I'll need more listens to decide about the 3 part track 8, but the guitar solo sounds just like part of My Boy by Elvis and John's singing is like Paul McCartney. Songs 9 and 10 wash over me, but on the latter John now sounds like the REM singer. I like the melodic Over And Over. My favourite is Extraordinary Life, which has the extreme of beauty and sadness in the intro. middle eight and instrumental, and rousing ELO sounding chorus. This would have been a top 10 single in the early eighties.

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review by: nindie date: 2008-05-31 rating:
Another great album from one of my favourite bands
I have always been a big fan of Asia, whatever the line up. They have never made a bad album in my opinion. They almost rate as highly for me as Rush and Magnum, surely the best 2 rock groups ever!!!!!

Having said that, at first I couldn't quite get into this album. However after a few plays I was soon hooked. There are 3 or 4 classic tracks including 'Never Again' which must rate as one of their best tracks. Asia have always produced outstanding rock music of the highest musicianship and this album is no different. Clocking at over 60 minutes there is so much to listen to and enjoy

On a slight downside some of the songs do sound a little samey, but hey I love Status Quo as well so I can't really complain. You may need to listen to it a couple of times, though, to really appreciate it.

More of the same please.


review by: stevect date: 2008-05-19 rating:
An extraordinary album
In an age where the so called hip new singers are what everyone is listening to I find it strange and sad that this superb offering from the original 1982 line up of Asia will be ignored. The reason why we listen to any music is because the musicians make sounds pleasing to the ears and write tunes that hook your brain and play over and over and you feel all the better for having listened to it. Being skilled instrumentalists also helps as is certainly the case with messrs Wetton, Downes, Howe and Palmer. So is this album relevant to 2008 ? Most certainly yes and here are my track by track votes and thoughts.
1) Never again. An echo back to the debut album complete with a similar `Heat of the moment' intro. Very familiar Asia fare immediately tunes the listener back to the Asia sound. 8/10
2) Nothings forever. Catchy hook, light arrangement but a good no.2 track for the album. 7/10
3) Heroine. An absolute gem of a track with a soaring chorus and haunting instrumentation rounded off by Howes sympathetic guitar solo. A real highlight. 10/10
4) Sleeping Giant/No way back/reprise. A very progressive type of song with an insistent chorus. 9/10
5) Alibis. Up-tempo song full of sumptuous instrumentation. Downes's keyboards here remind me very much of Rick Wakemans style. 9/10
6) I will remember you. A slow burner of the song with Wettons aching vocals and another one of those glorious instrumental breaks. 9/10
7) Shadow of a doubt. Another up-tempo effort but not one of the stronger songs. 7/10
8) Parallel Worlds/Vortex/Deya. Eight minutes of pure joy. The slow verses of the main song give way to some frenzied instrumentation in Vortex with Palmer playing like a man possessed. Then it's the calm soothing acoustic guitar playing of Deya that reminds me very much of Rodrigos Guitar Concerto. 10/10
9) Wish I'd known all along. A Steve Howe song with the man himself on backing vocals Insistent chorus makes this one to remember. 9/10
10) Orchard of mines. Inspired cover with soaring vocals from John Wetton. Very evocative. 10/10
11) Over and over. The other Steve Howe song and for me the albums weak point. 5/10
12) An extraordinary life. Absolute classic song with a very catchy chorus and personal lyrics from John Wetton. I cannot fathom out why this brilliant song is not on the Radio 2 playlist or perhaps the people who decide these things haven't heard it. Again Howes guitar sweetens the sound sooo much. A great end to a great album. 10/10
There is also an acoustic bonus version of `An extraordinary life' but this does not do the song justice.
In summary, a great return from the band and worthy purchase for any listener of good, tuneful music; the sleeve and packaging have also had a lot of love lavished on them too.

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