இவ Ice Vajal :: Music Land :: Metal World | ||
Bands :: A-Z / A / Asia / |
Phoenix - Claudia Ehrhardt - Omega - Claudia Ehrhardt - Spirit Of The Night / Live In Cambridge 2009 - Claudia Ehrhardt - Spirit Of The Night / Live In Cambridge 2009 - Guido - XXX - Claudia Ehrhardt - Resonance - Claudia Ehrhardt -
Resonance
(Frontiers Records - 2012)
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First information about where the album was recorded confused me, coz Live In Basel Switzerland should have been recorded in Basel - and Asia played in Pratteln's Z7! Okay, most won't know Pratteln and it's only about 20 km from Basel, but... Track listing: |
XXX
(Frontiers Records - 2012)
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Since Asia came back with the original line-up in 2008 they frequently released albums, this one is called XXX (=30) and marks the 30 years since their self-titled album was released. When the four gentlemen reunited for Phoenix. They don't play the big stages these days, but they seem to enjoy playing together and that's audible on XXX. |
Spirit Of The Night / Live In Cambridge 2009
(Frontiers Records - 2010)
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This live album - as well as the DVD - is presenting Asia in the original line-up and with their authentic live sound. And it's this sound which gives the songs a different vibe, in the past the songs were quite bombastic, but now they get a new identity. Especially the vocals show this very well. So singer and bass player John Wetton reminds my on this album of Chris de Burgh. In the past I would have never made this comparison - and I guess many won't see it the way I do. Here and there you hear that they are a bit shaky, but that's the way it is live and it makes them sound even more authentic. It makes them even more likeable, coz they easily could have covered this technically. The masters are from the bands archives and so it seems that it's the way they wanted it. And this authentic sound is what makes the album special. They offer songs from their comeback album Phoenix as well as their classics. A real treat for their fans!
Track list: |
Spirit Of The Night / Live In Cambridge 2009
(Frontiers Records - 2010)
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Some might criticize that after the release of Omega they now release a live album / DVD from the Phoenix tour, but well sometimes it needs a little more time to get things ready for a release. I guess that if it would be just the CD, then it would have hit the stores before the release of Omega. At the end it doesn't make a big difference, coz in a year or two nobody will care about the release date.
Track list: |
Omega
(Frontiers - 2010)
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A new album of the awesome foursome! Asia kick off with Icon's Finger On The Trigger, an up-tempo rocker with a great hook. It has the true Asia feeling and will win you over right away! You'll find yourself singing along the refrain before the first spin ends! Next in line Through My Veins, a keyboard-laden tune with a melancholy edge. John Wetton's vocals ennoble this one. The pick up speed for Holy War, a bombastic rocker which will soon haunt you! With Ever Yours they seem to take you back to Asia... Actually the whole album is authentic 80's Asia, not just the song writing also the production sounds like that. But as Asia always had a high quality production, there is nothing wrong about it. After the emotional Ever Yours it's time to spread some positive vibes... "e;The time is right for dancing..."e; - yes, it is with Listen Children. John Wetton's voice give the slower tunes like End Of The World the special something. But it's the teamwork, the contribution of everyone of the involved musicians. My personal favorite is Emily, the bonus track of the digipak's first pressing. No idea why this one didn't make it onto the regular edition... Perhaps not a typical Asia track, but enchanting! Again Wetton's voice is doing the trick. There Was A Time has a melancholy touch, but it's this sadness which is enthralling. The closer Don't Wanna Lose You Now will make you spin the CD again. The song has all the elements of the Asia sound, and even if nowadays more songs have melancholy touch, the album is fun from A-Z. Enjoy the sonic ride! |
Phoenix
(Frontiers - 2008)
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I remember very clearly my first reaction when I heart Asia's self-titled debut back in the days. The super group raised high expectations - and the smash hits off that album proofed that they captured the mood. Their combination of rock and pomp with a pop appeal was successful. The awesome foursome recorded 2 albums before the band had to face some changes. Now drummer extraordinary Carl Palmer, guitar wiz Steve Howe, keyboard maniac Geoff Downes and bassist / singer John Wetton are together again. And now they present Phoenix and like a phoenix the arose from the ashes. The album sounds like one of their early albums, this could have been the follow-up of Alpha! |
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