just a thought about ASIA

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    the debate, whether they are prog or pop will probably go on forever. 
however, going with the renewed interest in the original band which 
is now in the middle of a successful reunion tour i decided to take some 
time out and relisten to the first two albums. 

what i noticed was a distinct nod to some of the british invasion bands 
from the 60s (post-beatles), which fused multiple harmony vocals 
(ah, those anglican ex-choirboys again...) and guitars in their tunes. 
i am talking gerry and the pacemakers, tremeloes, searchers and the like 
and i wonder whether ASIA intended to pay tribute to them in a way, definitely in 
songs like "one step closer" and "sole survivor". 

has anyone else encountered this? any thoughts? 

Edited by iguana - September 22 2006 at 03:31

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iguana Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: July 01 2005 Location: Germany Status: Offline Points: 825	Topic: just a thought about ASIA Posted: September 22 2006 at 03:30
	the debate, whether they are prog or pop will probably go on forever. however, going with the renewed interest in the original band which is now in the middle of a successful reunion tour i decided to take some time out and relisten to the first two albums. what i noticed was a distinct nod to some of the british invasion bands from the 60s (post-beatles), which fused multiple harmony vocals (ah, those anglican ex-choirboys again...) and guitars in their tunes. i am talking gerry and the pacemakers, tremeloes, searchers and the like and i wonder whether ASIA intended to pay tribute to them in a way, definitely in songs like "one step closer" and "sole survivor". has anyone else encountered this? any thoughts? Edited by iguana - September 22 2006 at 03:31
	progressive rock and rural tranquility don't match. true or false?

MuzikLuva Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Groupie Joined: April 22 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 81	Posted: September 22 2006 at 04:10
	I too consider Asia to be a group of extremely talented individuals with excellent prog backgrounds that really disappointed me. From their first album, all I heard was this same basic throw back that you mentioned. Simple rhythms with no great flairs, highlights, etc. Just the basic rock and roll band with a little extra layering with the instruments. Had a lot of the 1,2 or 3 hit wonders of the mid to late 60's charted more, perhaps they would have ended up like this. I think you hit the nail on the head with your description of Asia. While I enjoy the musicians and the music, I find nothing progressive about them as a group.

iguana Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: July 01 2005 Location: Germany Status: Offline Points: 825	Posted: September 22 2006 at 04:40
	oh, i wasn't being overtly negative about that fact! what i wrote was meant to be relatively value free. in fact, i found it quite refreshing that some of the (former) prog era masters loosened their grip for a change and just went to create songs, pop songs if you will. it has been debated here many times but i am firmly convinced that the original members of ASIA deliberately stayed clear of their musical past and were more interested in creating something (then) contemporary with a little extra (instrumental) spicing on top. and, truth be known, had their appreciation for british 60s-pop prevailed – with the recent britpop-hypes and everything, they would be held in much higher regard than they are today. ahead of their time? who knows... Edited by iguana - September 22 2006 at 04:40
	progressive rock and rural tranquility don't match. true or false?