Thirty years after their eponymous debut hit and remained on #1 on the Billboard charts for nine consecutive weeks, the original Asia returns XXX, their third studio album since reuniting in 2006, ahead of a 30th Anniversary world tour. The album features cover art by none other than Roger Dean and is mostly filled with songs written by John Wetton and Geoff Downes.
“Tomorrow The World” begins with some mellow piano and violin, followed by six plus minute of full Asia finery. “Bury Me In Willow” chunks along nicely with Wetton singing at a slightly lower register over Downes’ piano. The orchestrated key middle bridge and piano with Howe’s muted guitar work makes this a better tune than the first. “Faithful” has pumping verses, but the chorus lifts this slightly trite love song with its sweet and perfect melody. As things get slightly heavier, Palmer comes alive truly, then he and Howe take over. The last chorus brings it all home.
Downes effectively employs some vacillating opening keys under Wetton’s vocals on “I Know How You Feel.” This might be the band at its most inventive with an intricate middle passage and some tasty guitar from Howe. Asia is a band that can manage these moments of prog-ficiency better than most, yet they fit them in where they don’t feel forced.
“Face On The Bridge,” the first single from XXX, features some powerful, hooky piano lines, a great bass line and a solid vocal from Wetton. This is as good a pop tune as anything Asia has ever released. For something a little edgier and old-school, “Judas” lifts off with a strong power chord and blaring organ. Howe pulls off a light and subtle touch during the verses, while the keyboard “Ahs” behind Wetton during the chorus embellishes the immediacy of the song.
“Ghost Of A Chance” is an altogether different stripe and, not surprisingly, my favorite track on XXX. It begins with just Wetton and Downes, then Howe enters with a lead, and Palmer rolls up. This is one song that should have come earlier on the playlist, but it’s not lost on the listener what Howe is getting into here and how when Asia takes off , they take off freaking high! John Wetton says XXX is the “essence of Asia today.” After a listen or two, you might share the same opinion – a band exploring new avenues while keeping the elements of what fans love most.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
