Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #51734 in Digital Music Album
• Released on: 2008-04-11
• Running time: 0 seconds

Customer Reviews

Dissapointed
Let me start by saying that I am a big fan of Asia. Which makes it all the more painful to say that I cannot recommend this album. No one more than I was excited to listen to the rich sounds of this very talented group. Then came ASIA GOLD which confirmed why I was still an ASIA fan. That 2 disc compilation was probably their greatest album yet in that it completely embodies the best of their music. Alas..it was all the more dissapointing to listen to the lackluster, bland comeback album PHOENIX.
While it starts promising enough with track 1: Never Again..a wonderful song that made me harken back to the glory days of their debut album, as well as the song Nothings Forever and Alibis. Unfortunatly, it quickly decends into bland ballads and pretentious intros into uninspired songs. While the first few songs are pleasant, after track 6 the album spirals down into mediocre, generic, interchangable songs that seemed to have been written while sleepwalking. The last two thirds of the album is a complete waste of time.
Very unfortunate, considering that their last comeback attempt didnt have the powerful songs needed to give the group the staying power that I so desperately hoped it would give them. I fear that this album will fare no better. I sincerely hope that I'm wrong, since I feel this is one of the most underated and talented bands. I cant fault the singing, john wetton sounds great..but the writing just isnt there unfortunatly. For those looking to listen to their greatest efforts yet..try purchasing ASIA GOLD. After hearing that..its easy to see that with a little more effort in the writing, Asia could still come back strong as ever...I hope they do.

Bought on whim. Lived up to expectations
Bought this at the Asia concert (in Phoenix!) in 2008. Wanted to support the group and was pleasantly surprised at the album. I'm not a hard-core UK fan, but I loved Asia and appreciate Palmer's work. I think it's better than Astra, on par with the first two Asia albums.

Asia Is Back!!!
One of the best progressive bands of the 1980s, Asia gave us nothing but the best progressive rock. Featuring John Wetton (of King Crimson, Uriah Heep and U.K. fame), Steve Howe (of Yes fame), Geoff Downes (of The Buggles and Yes fame) and Carl Palmer (of Emerson Lake & Palmer fame), the group released three superb records in the eighties.

It's so cool to have them back! I had heard rumors for months before this had been released that after the tour that the band had planned to go back into the studio to record a new record.

And the result is perfection. I think this should have come before 'Astra,' personally. Wetton's voice is superb; it's a little deeper and huskier than in the eighties, but it's just awesome. At 58, Wetton's voice is awesome.

The highlights here for me are 'Never Again,' which features great keyboard lines from Geoff Downes throughout, 'An Extraordinary Life,' a tune that I think would have sounded great on 'Alpha,' and 'Sleeping Giant/No Way Back,' an epic Asia tune.

The whole record is great, though. This is a superb album for any Asia fan. This is highly recommended for anyone who loves Asia like I do. If you were disappointed with 'Astra,' than you'll love 'Phoenix' even more. This record won't let you down.

It's not a masterpiece, but it's easily one of the best records of 2008. I've been waiting for an Asia comeback for a long time, and here it is! And it's even better than I thought it would be!

Highly recommended for any Asia fan.

ENJOY!!!