Retro Spins: Asia - Asia

I guess I would call Asia a supergroup, considering the initial lineup consisted of lead vocalist and bassist John Wetton (King Crimson, Uriah Heep and U.K.), guitarist Steve Howe (Yes), keyboardist Geoff Downes (Yes and the Buggles) and drummer Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake & Palmer). The group formed after the apparent ending of Yes and Emerson, Lake & Palmer in 1981, and while popular on mainstream radio, failed to impress critics and fans of their original groups.

Based on its members, the fans and critics expected Asia to be a progressive rock band, delivering music in the same vein of Yes and ELP. Instead, they got Billboard Hot 100 Hits, Heat Of The Moment, and Only Time Will Tell. While this resonated with the likes of Journey and Styx fans, it wasn't what their original followers wanted.

Their debut tour across the USA was sold out for every show, and accolades came in the form of Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 1983, as well as being named best debut album by Billboard and Cashbox. Their self-titled debut also remains their best seller, and most memorable, specifically for the aforementioned hits. The album spent nine weeks at number one in the USA, all the more aided by the music videos being in steady rotation on MTV, which were played up to five times per day.

Well...Don't that just set the bar exceedingly high?

The album starts off right away with Heat Of The Moment, and then launches into Only Time Will Tell. While it's great to get these tracks right off the bat, it sets a level of expectation, which frankly the rest of the songs can't meet. The end result is seven additional tracks, which while not bad, most are quickly forgettable.

After hearing them, I also must say I don't understand the initial critical response, and lackluster fan response. While the hits are definitely commercial / mainstream, the remainder absolutely give off a prog rock vibe. I particularly dug this aspect in the tune, Cutting It Fine.

Overall, it's not a bad debut. Album of the year? No, not by any means. I don't know what Billboard and Cashbox are talking about in that regard. I wouldn't even nominate it for Best New Artist, as the Grammy Awards did. That award would ultimately end up going to Men At Work, by the way.

Asia would continue through the mid 80's with studio albums, but lineup changes and disagreements would ultimately be their undoing. Oh, how the drama unfolds, and it all starts with their 1983 sophomore released, Alpha. Tune in tomorrow for that one.

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THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
August 4, 1984