Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Asia
Label: Frontiers Records
Release: 2012
Running time: 49:23
Rating: 3/5
John Wetton, Geoff Downes, Carl Palmer and Steve Howe – probably the most famous quartet in the history of progressive and melodic rock, going by the names alone – have stepped into their thirtieth year with their latest studio effort (the band formed at the start of 1981, though the debut came out a year later). For anyone who remembers the birth of this supergroup, that sounds downright unbelievable, since nobody expected Asia to last this long on the scene, even if it’s often been in totally different lineups (one reason why the ‘real’ Asia now has a ‘reject’ twin in the shape of John Payne’s Asia). Hence the slightly cringey album title, which is sure to trigger a few tasteless jokes about ‘perverted old farts in their third puberty’ among the clueless snipers who aren’t exactly serious fans of the band.
Controversial title aside, it’s worth pointing out that the original Asia lineup, since reuniting in 2006, has now been going three times longer than from its founding to its breakup in the mid-eighties, and despite the creaky bones of its members it still has plenty of juice to take on much younger melodic rock craftsmen. The old cats are still real workaholics, too: besides creating for Asia, they find plenty of time for their own bands. Wetton is a recent member of the resurrected UK, Downes and Howe are in Yes, while Palmer leads his own backing band.
All the songs on »XXX« except »Judas«, where Howe left his mark as well, were written by the old Icon buddies Wetton and Downes, who also deserve the most credit for Asia still being together after the reunion and for slowly but surely improving from album to album, never mind that all the members are creeping up on seventy. While the reunion record »Phoenix« (2008) was a disappointment more or less slapped together in a hurry, »Omega« (2010) was already a noticeable turn for the better and proof that the legendary quartet can work successfully in the new century, while also bringing back some of that eighties AOR magic that made them world famous, after most fans had started to wonder whether the reunion of the famous five made any sense at all. »XXX« is the logical continuation of the »Omega« sound standards and at the same time a slight step up from its predecessor, with the occasional revival of the eighties retro sound, mostly thanks to the richness of Downes’s varied keyboard textures.
»Tomorrow the World« is a splendid, energetic opener that, surprisingly and against the usual practice, is also the longest track on the album. The central synth motif creates a pleasant eighties vibe, while a chorus crowned with dramatic harmonies deepens the impression that classic Asia are back among us. After plenty of ups and downs, Wetton keeps his vocals in top shape, and the same goes for his bass playing. By subtly laying down keyboard textures, Downes successfully proves why he’s the only Asia member who has stuck around the whole time. Howe delights with his trademark guitar tricks, yet he’s also considerate enough not to carve out too big a slice of the sonic pie, while Palmer is as superb as ever with his breakneck drum fills. The rhythmically rich »Bury Me In Willow« combines a serene yet triumphant atmosphere with a lovely, protective Asia chorus and classical-leaning arrangements on keyboards and guitar, which means it won’t leave a single fan cold. The solid »No Religion« is one of the structurally more demanding tracks, with a slight hard rock flavor and a few unexpected time-signature twists. It’s a song you can’t win over on the first spin, but it has a distinct enough chorus to lodge itself effectively in your memory over time.
»Faithful« is a sonically interesting, if by now almost standard, Asia power ballad about Wetton’s heartaches, which conjures up the atmosphere of the ‘golden’ eighties through rich synth arrangements. One of the main strengths of »XXX« is the excellent production, which delivers an exceptionally rich sound and gives all five instrumental masters equal room to express themselves. »I Know How You Feel«, another power ballad in the row, also has a pronounced nostalgic pulse. The fairly predictable, slightly sleepy tempo and almost irritatingly repetitive chorus are luckily saved by a few good guitar and keyboard parts, but otherwise it’s one of the less inspired creations of the last three years. Fortunately, there aren’t many moments like that on »XXX«.
The one thing the album really lacks is at least one standout fire-starter anthem in the vein of »Heat of the Moment« or »Go«, meaning a song that would get the listener on their feet in an instant and put them in a state of stadium euphoria. All the songs on the album are solid to good, but none of them is a songwriting highlight compared with what the band were capable of in their prime. The closest is »Face On the Bridge«, which also got a promo video, where the legendary quartet successfully conjures up that long-missed magic they used to fill stadiums with in the eighties, but with a modern aftertaste. The rousing chorus is adorned with melodic keyboard lines of the kind only Downes can pull out of his sleeve, along with the cunning guitar passages of ‘Mr. Owl’.
»Al Gatto Nero«, ‘the black cat’ in plain English, is a song with which Asia obviously wanted to charm all their Italian fans, since the title and some of the verses are in Italian. Despite such a cheap move, it’s yet another fairly solid piece with an eighties flavor. »Judas« is a melodic rock drama in the truest sense of the word, one that promises a lot but in the end would rather pour all its potential into a catchy chorus. The lyrics of »Reno (Silver And Gold)«, a bonus track from the special edition, are for unknown reasons pure pandering to (Californian) Americans, but musically it’s one of the more interesting pieces, with a harmony-laden, hypnotic chorus in the best Asia tradition. The closing »Ghost of A Chance« doesn’t promise much at first, opening as a typical weepy ballad, but it develops nicely over time thanks to subtle, orchestral keyboard parts and an excellent guitar solo from Howe.
»XXX« is a solid achievement with which Asia have successfully, and with an eye on the future, marked the thirtieth anniversary of their existence and of their legendary self-titled debut. Anyone who was hoping for a return to the lofty sonic standards of 1982 will be disappointed once again, since, as expected, this is no AOR masterpiece, nor does it tamper with the prog rock roots that have always connected all the members of the band. On the other hand, the cult quartet has finally managed to build convincing chemistry among themselves and made the best album since the reunion, one you can listen to with joy in your heart from start to finish without once thinking, even for a moment, of Payne’s version of Asia. Special praise also goes to the legendary Roger Dean, who after a long time has designed a truly quality cover, one that works as a fusion of the »Asia« and »Alpha« album sleeves.
Lineup
John Wetton – vocals and bass guitar
Geoff Downes – keyboards
Steve Howe – guitar
Carl Palmer – drums
Production
Mike Paxman
Track list
1. Tomorrow The World (6:47)
2. Bury Me In Willow (6:01)
3. No Religion (6:36)
4. Faithful (5:37)
5. I Know How You Feel (4:53)
6. Face On The Bridge (5:59)
7. Al Gatto Nero (4:36)
8. Judas (4:43)
9. Ghost Of A Chance (4:21)
