A Sneak Peek...
And this time ... on the album "XXX", the 12th album of "Asia", which was released on June 20, 2012.
This album is especially dear to us from the band's rich repertoire and it somehow closes a circle with the band's debut album "Asia", which was released exactly 30 years earlier in 1982.
Why this album is closing a circle? Because beyond the fact that it came out exactly 30 years after the debut album, it's the Supergroup's latest album in its classic lineup 'with Carl Palmer, Steve Howe, John Wetton and Geoff Downes. A year after its release, guitarist Steve Howe will leave the band and in 2017, singer and bassist John Wetton will pass away, in a way that leaves this album as the last piece of music we received from the four talented members who founded "Asia".
Even if you do not have time to listen to the whole album, do yourself a favor and listen to the excellent opening song "Tomorrow the World". An amazing and complex piece with airy instrumental parts that loads the song with dynamics and a beautiful atmosphere. Almost 7 minutes of great music, combining the band's familiar pop-rock with progressive rock. It starts with a piano-guitar intro that contributes to the "build-up" towards the entrance at 0:50, and when it arrives, boom! What a sweeping rhythm, what a deep and clear singing of John Wetton that accompanies himself with the beating bass. We are sure that the keyboard riff that follows (1:16) will remind you of its sound and vibe of "The Final Countdown" by "Europe", but what happens next is much more dynamic and deep. The wonderfully melodic C-Part at 2:44, the break to the quiet section at 3:35, and the crazy keyboard-guitar solo that followed, what a beauty of playing especially that of Steve Howe who undoubtedly gives one of the most beautiful solos in his entire career (And there's another one like this that starts to warm engines at 5:46).
But this album is definitely not just this one great song. The moving "Bury Me in Willow" with John Wetton's passionate singing was chosen by "AllMusic" as one of the three recommended songs on the album. The rhythmic "No Religion" is a classic "AOR" song, with touches of prog and we do not really know why (maybe the rhythm), but "Face on the Bridge" reminded us at times of "Coldplay". And there is "Al Gatto Nero" who offers us catchy pop-rock with a little drum solo that Carl Palmer pulls out of his sleeves, "Ghost of a Chance" with the symphonic vibe and the emotional playing of Steve Howe and more.
It is interesting to note that the album was also released in an expanded version that includes the bonus track "Reno (Silver and Gold)", an excellent track in itself that fully integrates with the rest of the album, so maybe this is why the band chose not to put it at the end, as it is an integral part that does not affect the flow of the album.
For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music