XXX

I must say that I was surprised by this one. Considering the low rating I saw here I was expecting something not as good as their last two ones, I mean, those when the original line up got back together in 2006. Instead I found myself enjoying this one more than 2010 Omega. Of course I was not expecting anything progressive here, that was never Asias goal since the very beginning I was looking for the great mixture of pop/AOR/symphonic sound they became famous for. And I got it. There is no denying that their songwriting here is top notch and the songs are great for what they are. Who else is doing this kind of material with such quality, tastefulness and inspiration? For an album commemorating 30 years since their debut, they sound fresh, exciting and in top form.

All the tracks are excellent and the production is beautiful. The melodies are exquisite and the harmonies soar. I heard they wanted to do group songs and not individual skills when they formed. I´m glad to see they still can do it, that one for all all for one feeling. No frills, no unnecessary technique displays. Just songs. Steve Howe for example shows how to be subtle and genial at the same time. He and the others have nothing to prove, so they are now working for the tunes.

It´s a shame that Howe left the group in 2013 to concentrate with his work with Yes and his solo career. Their chemistry together is unique. And with Wetton´s passing we will never see the original line up again, but this album is a great bookend for this much maligned, but great band. If you like Asia in particular, or melodic music in general, I strong recommend this album.

Rating: maybe I should give it 3,5 stars, since this is a prog site and there is not much prog in here, but the aforementioned quality of the songs and the extraordinaire performance of all involved makes it above mere good. 4 stars rounded.