Xxx [Limited

The Original line up of Asia have now been reunited for longer than they were ever together in the first place and this album marks the 30th anniversary of the release of their debut which was imaginatively titled "Asia". This album is, unfortunately, entitled XXX. It was very difficult to explain to my dear old mother why "Asia XXX" was in my recent searches. Awkward name aside, this is a great album. I have a habit of getting very excited about new releases and exaggerating their quality so, after listening to this album enough times that I knew each song reasonably well, I took a break of a week to allow the initial hype to fade. I am now able to make criticisms but to be honest it still stands up as (this is my own humble opinion so please don't crucify me for it) the best album Asia ever produced. There's a good mix of moods and themes and all the best classic Asia elements are still here. That being said, this is an album for the 21st century and the sound of the band has improved with age.Tomorrow the World (*****) opens the album with an explosion of rock. The lyrics are very clever in that each syllable is timed perfectly to the music so the words seem to flow wonderfully from John Wettons mouth. Steve Howe and Geoff Downes work hard on this track and there is a particularly enjoyable part of the song where they sound like they're battling for attention and the effect is stunning.The next song blew my mind. Bury Me in Willow (*****) is incredible. I've been known to make bold or brash statements in the heat of the moment (ha) but I feel comfortable saying that this is my absolute favourite Asia song. It surpasses anything they've done before now. The sheer craftmanship that has gone into this track is amazing. The lyrics are pure poetry and the contrast of the restrained and quiet verses to the explosive and very moving chorus is beautiful. Geoff Downes gets to showcase his talent here. The song is quite long but it just keeps on giving and the energy, pace and power of the song is maintained throughout. I don't understand why this wasn't a single!No Religion (****) has a hard act to follow and, while it doesn't match the previous track for quality, it is a classic Asia rock number. Here the main interest shifts to John Wettons brilliant vocals and Steve Howes sublime guitar playing. It's quite reminiscent of the debut album but without the same corny lyrics. The lyrics here are of the same high standard as the rest of the album... apart from "daisy chain my life away". I don't know what he's talking about but it sounds a little clumsy.Faithful (*****) sounds quite epic when it starts but is essentially a shameless love song. The lyrics are a bit cheesy but this is Asia! Did we just forget all the lyrics from Asia and Alpha? Even Astra was cheesy! However much cheese the words and vocals provide, Howe and Downes keep the music rocky and exciting with pounding bass quite high in the mix. Steve Howe especially earns his wage in this track. It has a traditional, Asia style, anthemic chorus which will probably be good live.I Know How You Feel (****) suffers from having a slightly annoying keyboard line which drones on for the whole song. However, a great bass line and great lyrics make up for it. The vocals and delivered perfectly by John Wetton so the song is rescued by his efforts.Face On the Bridge (*****) is superb and very nearly matches the splendour of Bury Me In Willow. Perhaps it's a bit of a cliche to get so excited about the single from the album but it genuinely is a brilliant song. Once again we have a finely crafted song with a beautiful melody. It's undeniably happy but not sickly like some love songs. The band are understated but not underused so the main focus is on the words but the music itself is incredibly moving.There seems to be a sudden shift in style for Al Gatto Nero. It's very jolly and loud but the actual arrangement betrays a minimalist approach. The quality of vocals and lyrics remains constant. Steve Howe works fairly hard again so it's a rockier song with a great hook. The chorus is a little strange with John Wetton singing part of it in what I believe is Italian though I may be wrong. He also has a conversation with the backing singers which reminds me of "With A Little Help From My Friends" by The Beatles.Judas (*****) is another one of my favourites. It's another rock song with a catchy chorus. The music is upbeat but the words are bitter and angry. The melody is particularly interesting as it jumps from mood to mood. The lyrics are less poetic than previous offerings but definitely expressive.Reno (Silver and Gold) (*****) is the first bonus track. It fully deserves a place on this album and is actually better than a couple of the other songs. It's fairly mellow and contemplative but has an undeniable power to it which reminds me very much of Midnight Sun from the second album. The vocals here show of John Wettons impressive range and the bands harmonies are all on point. There's a beautiful moment at the end when two groups of singers are singing different parts and it produces a lovely mosaic of sound. It's worth paying a few extra quid for the special edition to get this song. Steve Howe should also get a mention for some nice guitar on this track.Ghost of a Chance (***) is a little disappointing given the quality of the album and, if pushed, I would name this as the weakest track. Omega ended with the beautiful and solemn I Don't Wanna Lose You Now and it would seem they wanted to end this album on a similar note but it's just a little to miserable and, while the quality of the lyrics are consistent with the whole album, it feels a bit tired. The end is much better than the start because it picks up a bit and the drums come in properly.The second bonus track is I Know How You Feel (Midnight Mix) (*****). This is quite a bit better than the other version. It's stripped back a lot so it sounds quite bare but it's far more moving and suits the lyrics much more. It even gives Steve Howe a chance to whip out the old acoustic for a bit.I thoroughly enjoyed this album which, I think, reflects the very best that these men are capable of. They've grown up a lot in the last 30 years and it shows in the music. John Wettons voice is as strong as ever and the sound quality is superb. I don't pretend to know the first thing about production but, to my amateur ears, the mix sounds perfect and everything is crystal clear.Fans of Carl Palmer may feel a little short-changed though. The drums are not really a main feature of the album. Even when they're turned right up he just seems to be trotting along contently with the rest of the band rather than doing anything particularly impressive or even very interesting.The album sleeve is great and harks back to the first two albums. The bonus DVD has two music videos and a documentary which is definitely worth watching and certainly worth the extra few quid.The band is 30 years young and going strong. I'm determined to be Faithful to them and in return they wont let the smile leave my eyes. Don't cry ladies and gents, buy this album. Only Time Will Tell if they can match this in the future.

This is a real return to form - their best effort since the re-union. Tomorrow The World is a killer. This cd has great melodies, great playing, and some fantastic arrangements: everything you expect from Asia. John Wetton is in fine voice, Geoff Downes supplies the huge keyboard sound we all want in an Asia record. Carl is his usual strength behind the drum kit, really addiing to the sound. Steve Howe, although his style is not what you'd call 'modern', has an amazing ability for adding fills and solos and arrangements to lift the songs.There are a few songs I'm not enamoured with, but all in all, a great album worth the price.

If judging a 5-star review as the original album, then this is certainly a 4-star album. 11 tracks of which only 3 I don't care for, similar to Omega. I'd rank this album alongside that one, keeping up the decent standard of the post-Payne era revival. Say what you like about the argument as to whether Asia is better with Payne or Wetton, my preference is clearly for Wetton. The songs are stronger, catchier and Wetton's voice blows Payne's out of the water.Tomorrow The World begins quietly, a departure from the usual Wetton-era albums, but its not unpleasant. Then suddenly bursts into rocky life and is a great start to the album. Reminiscent of Finger on the Trigger as far as the general beat goes. I also like one of the lines that uses a Shakespeare-style twist to a phrase.Bury Me In Willow is one of those songs that can only be described as beautiful. Wonderfully crafted and composed. Not a really outstanding track to me as one or two of the others but beautiful nonetheless. And a perfect foil for what comes next.What can you say about No Religion? OMG. Steve Howe's power chords. A head-nodding foot-tapping number so reminiscent of the 80s. I love it. Alright, alright, so part of it sounds like Blue Oyster Cult. So what? This knocks Don't Fear the Reaper out of the way.Faithful. Um. Too similar to the bland pap of the middle part of Phoenix. Don't like it.I Know How You Feel. Not this version, no. I think the keyboards are a little too irritating. It doesn't do it for me anyway.Face On The Bridge. One of those slow burners. Wasn't sure about it when I first heard it but now, yes its a good one. Runs smoothly. I did wonder why he mentioned the King of Bohemia but then when I watched the DvD that comes with this version I got it. I've been on the Charles Bridge too, and it is beautiful.Al Gatto Nero. Spooky, this. We have a cat called Nero. Al Gatto = The Cat. No! Surely not! Of course it means The Black Cat (Nero isn't black, by the way). Love the song. Oh what a gutsy start. The only weak bit is the chorus but I can live with that.Judas. Not bad. Fairly good. Good guitars. It doesn't quite reach out and grab me hard like No Religion or Al Gatto Nero but a nice album track nontheless.Reno. Rubbish. Bonus track? Bin it. Payne standard.Ghost of A Chance. Haunting. Wasn't too sure at first but its grown on me. Yes, one to keep on the old iPod.I Know How You Feel (Midnight Mix). Now i do like this version. Its atmospheric and comes without that Supertramp irritating falsetto keyboard sound. Good song.The only thing I'd moan about is that it didn't end with a really great track like Alpha or Asia did. I'd like to see the guys insist with Frontier Records in future they do. And also like all Asia albums its a little too polished and over produced. Asia are far better live. I'm going to see them this coming December and cannot wait.

I am not sure what some of the critics are listening too,it can't be this majestic offering from Asia.Beautiful vocals and sublime keyboards and guitar.I enjoy all of the tracks,plus there is a bonus dvd which I have not watched yet.I am glad I got it when it was first released as I notice it has shot up in price now.I would still recommend this Album even though its a bit pricey now.

I bought Asia's debut album as a nerdy teenage progger almost 30 years ago. This is the first of their works I have purchased since then and it's refreshing to see/hear that absiolutely nothing has changed! Despite the massive technological advances in music production since their 1982 debut, XXX could plausibly pass as a follow-up to Asia or Astra. And here lieth the issue for me. The individual band members had arguably peaked creatively at some point in the late 1970s and have been on the decline (albeit at glacial pace) since then. XXX therefore manages to simultaneously embody all that is laudable and lamentable about the genre. It is an enjoyable and listenable-to album but not exactly ground breaking stuff.