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メーカー ‏ : ‎ King Japan
EAN ‏ : ‎ 0758875284901
製造元リファレンス ‏ : ‎ 5284901
レーベル ‏ : ‎ King Japan
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01JTACUF4

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レビューのソート基準

上位レビュー、対象国：日本

レビューのフィルタリング中に問題が発生しました。後でもう一度試してください。

たろう

良かったです

2019年9月8日に日本でレビュー済み

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良かったです

役に立った

ないすれす

I don't wanna lose you now...

2017年2月14日に日本でレビュー済み

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前作「フェニックス」がまさかの復帰作ってのがあって、かなり興奮気味に聴き込んだのに比べ
本作はかなりゆとりのある状態で聴いたので，僕の中での本作の評価基準はいささか不当かもしれない。
実際，１曲目がが既発曲のリアレンジだったので新鮮味に欠けたし，
アルバム全体の流れが起伏に乏しいなという印象が今なお抜けきらない。
とはいえ一つ一つの楽曲はとても気に入っていて，
特に最後の曲は，僕の中で「カラオケで配信されてたら絶対歌いたい曲」の一つである。
今はこの曲を何度も聴きながら，数々の名曲を残してくれた彼に最上の敬意を表したい。
ジョン・ウェットン・・・R.I.P.

3人のお客様がこれが役に立ったと考えています

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バリィ

ややおとなし目

2014年7月5日に日本でレビュー済み

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1stのような多彩さはありませんが、安心して聴ける一枚ではあります。ジョン・ウェットンのボーカルが好きなので、そこに関しては不満はありません。

1人のお客様がこれが役に立ったと考えています

役に立った

緊急事態条項が通ると選挙がなくなります

オリジナルASIA復活第2作

2020年12月27日に日本でレビュー済み

　25年振りにオリジナル編成のASIAが復活して、2作目となるアルバム「Omega」だ。2010年04月発表。メロディック・ロック専門レーベル: フロンティア・レコードの本拠地はイタリア。そのイタリア盤と、日本盤では、ボーナス・トラックが異なる。イタリア盤は「Emily」。日本盤は「Drop A Stone」。ネットで公式サンプルを聴いてみた所、自分は「Emily」の方が好みだったので、今回は、本国盤を選択した。日本盤は... もう廃盤か。廉価再発売になったら、考えるかも。

　いわゆるスーパー・バンドなので、いつも最初の作品が期待値でバ力売れするのだが。冷静にクオリティを見ると、自分は復活第1作「 Pheonix 」よりも、本作の方が曲は良いと思う。ま、Wetton/Downes-ICONのリメイク「Finger On The Trigger」の助けを借りてはいるけれど(笑)。ちなみに、プレイはICONの方が上手い。Wetton/Downesの二人が主役なので、ギターの録音は小さめだが、IT BITES: ジョン・ミッチェルのプレイはタイム感が完璧だ。曲も、更に素晴らしいので、 ICONの2nd. は必ず聴いた方がいい。「Astra」以降の作品では、間違い無く一番良い。

　方向性としては、前作「Phoenix」＝1st.「Asia」、本作「Omega」＝2nd.「Alpha」な感じ、と言えば分かり易いだろう。作曲者も、「Omega」は M-2「Through My Veins」と M-7「Light The Way」だけがWetton/Howeで、他の曲は、全てDownes/Wettonで統一されている。半分以上が5分を超えているので、「Alpha」ほど、超・コンパクトではないが、引き締まったポップ・ソング色が強い。ちなみに、Howeの2曲は意外に頑張っている。「歌える」流麗なポップさがあり、決して他の曲に劣っていない。

　「Phoenix」より質が落ちるという意見もある様だが、1曲目のICONのセルフ・カヴァーを数に入れれば、纏まりがある分、本作の方がテンポも良く、耳に残るメロディーが多い。ICONの2nd.は良い曲が多くて、ASIAで演らないのは勿体ないと考えていたので、自分はリメイクOK派だ。尚、タイトルの「オメガ」はギリシャ文字の最後の1字。ラスト作になるのでは？と深読みするリスナーも多かった。無事、次作、次々作もリリースされるので、この心配は杞憂に終わった。恐らく、機械のリズムガイドを使ったのだろうが、テンポがきちんと一定になっているので、「キッチリ・カッチリ」好きな'80s好きの自分は、サウンド・プロダクション的にも、本作の方が好きだ。

ASIA
Omega (Italian Limited)
1. Finger On The Trigger (4:30) - Originally by Wetton/Downs-ICON
2. Through My Veins (5:08)
3. Holy War (5:59)
4. Ever Yours (4:04)
5. Listen Children (5:56)
6. End Of The World (5:39)
7. Light The Way (5:09)
8. Emily (5:12) - Bonus track for Italian limited version.
9. Still The Same (4:43)
10. There Was A Time (5:58)
11. I Believe (4:42)
12. Don't Wanna Lose You Now (4:45)
Frontiers Records | FRCD455 | 2010-04-26 | 8024391045527

ASIA (エイジア)
Omega (オメガ) (Japanese Limited)
1. Finger On The Trigger (4:30) - Originally by Wetton/Downs-ICON
2. Through My Veins (5:09)
3. Holy War (6:00)
4. Ever Yours (4:05)
5. Listen, Children (5:57)
6. End Of The World (5:39)
7. Light The Way (5:10)
8. I'm Still The Same (4:44)
9. There Was A Time (5:57)
10. Drop A Stone (5:09) - Bonus track for Japanese limited version.
11. I Believe (4:43)
12. Don't Wanna Lose You Now (4:46)
King Records | KICP-1470 | 2800Yen | 2010-04-21 | 4988003386412

2015年11月26日に日本でレビュー済み

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１０年発表。オリジナル・メンバーによる再結成第二弾。個人的にはあり得ないと思っていたオリジナル・メンバーでの再結成だったが、あっさりと『フェニックス』の発表に至り、更に驚くことに前作より２年を経てその第二弾が登場した。嬉しいことに今回はウェットン／ダウンズの曲に加えてハウ／ウェットンによる曲が２曲も収録されるなど人間関係の良さも強く感じられファンにとっては本当に嬉しい作品になったと思う。
１．はかなりストレートなハード・ロックで、ヘヴィーなギターがひたすらカッコ良い。メロディ・ラインにはどこかバブガムなポップさとウェットン節とも言うべき従来のラインが交わっており、まずは快心の一曲。演奏に付いても若々しいサウンドに従来の重厚さを組み合わせたようなものになっており、コーラスも新鮮。個人的には期待以上の仕上がりだった。２．はメロトロン風のシンセ・ストリングスを加えたプログレ・バラード。こちらもコーラスがシャーブで美しいが、どこかクリムゾンを思わせる曲調がエイジアだけに新鮮である。これがハウとウェットンの共作というのはちょっとビックリだが、すなおにプログレ回帰と喜びたい。３．は重厚なパワー・ポップといった印象だが、サビでの重厚かつ哀感の強い雰囲気には濃厚なプログレ臭が漂う。
かなりウェットン色の強い作品だが、さすがは職人の集まりらしくまとまりを重視しつつも適所では大きく主張しており（特にカールのドラムスは従来以上に煩くて嬉しい）エイジアとしてのカラーも十分に発揮している。驚くべきところは曲の良さであり、メロディの捻り方や曲展開などは思わず唸ってしまうほど素晴しい。ウェットンはソロだと曲作りに荒さが目立つが、誰かと組むめばそこがフォローされて素晴しい結果が生まれる。そういう意味において現時点での彼の最高の居場所はこのエイジアだろう。曲とヴォーカルを聴けばされを実感出来るはずである。

7人のお客様がこれが役に立ったと考えています

役に立った

80年代ロック大好き

プログレではないけれど、上質な大人のロック

2010年4月21日に日本でレビュー済み

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上質な大人のロックです。
前回のフェニックスは、ファンには再結成、ということだけで興奮状態だったこともあり、バンドの初期の3作のイメージはなく、曲もすべてミディアムテンポでちょっと前の表現だと「AOR」のアルバムと言えなくもない印象。
今回は出だしから快調にエイジア節を聞かせてくれます。往年に比べれば落ちるとはいえ、スピード感にも溢れていて、3曲目を聴くころにはこのアルバムの魅力に嵌りました。
初期の3作のファンで、前作で少しがっかりした人！
是非1度聴いてみる価値ありだと思いますよ

18人のお客様がこれが役に立ったと考えています

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TK

懐かしい

2016年4月29日に日本でレビュー済み

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捨て曲もありますが、粒の揃ったエイジア節が堪能出来ました。しかしファーストアルバムを越える内容ではなかったね。

2013年1月6日に日本でレビュー済み

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エイジアの音楽からは暫く遠ざかっておりましたが、最新アルバムの『XXX‾ロマンへの回帰』のジャケットデザインを見た瞬間にこれはもしやと直感しました。
なんと昔のエイジアサウンドに戻っているではありませんか。
さらに、ここアマゾンでの過去作品のレビューを見ていると、本作『オメガ』の評判もすこぶるいい感じであったのでさっそく試聴。
そして、試聴と同時に即注文。
なんと素晴らしい出来あがり。最新作『XXX‾ロマンへの回帰』よりも明るく真にストレート。
しかも、ギターとドラムプレイが往年時代を彷彿させています。
無論、ボーカルも素晴らしいのですが、なんといってもこの楽曲の良さ。
明るく、パワフルな曲が多くをしめていますが、哀愁漂うバラードも健在。
一番驚いたのが、８曲目の『アイム・ステイル・ザ・セイム』
出だしはちょっと軽めですが、少しすると思わぬ展開に！これだけ衝撃を受けた曲は久しぶりです。
こんなに素晴らしいアルバムがいつの間にか発売されていたことに感動したとともに、自らのリサーチ不足を改めて思い知りました。
さて、次は『フェニックス』かな．．．

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他の国からのトップレビュー

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Exwag

Surprisingly exciting, joyful, and fantastically performed triumph!

2010年5月27日にアメリカ合衆国でレビュー済み

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OK, first off: let me tell you where I'm coming from. I am a serious prog rock fan, but enjoy lots of stuff, and always appreciate a well-written and performed song, as I am a songwriter myself. I am NOT an Asia nut or partisan in any way. I had the 1982 debut record like everyone else, and loved it (I was 12, so take it for what it's worth), but I would more likely throw on King Crimson, Yes, or ELP than anything else the band has done (and I've never even listened to the John Payne version--Asia is Wetton's band, to me, and his distinctive vocals and personality in singing is a big reason I even thought about looking into this new record). It never occurred to me to look into 2006's Phoenix, and I assumed that the band would be a pale imitation of its former success. I am not a huge fan of AOR rock (e.g., I don't listen to Journey, REO Speedwagon, et al), and have little tolerance for dumb lyrics and lighter-raising stadium rock moves. But. . . .I love Omega. I read the strong review in Classic Rock magazine and was surprised they had such good things to say about how revitalized the band was. So, I listened to the 30 second samples here and was surprised how good they sounded. Still, I didn't buy it; I've been burned before on samples that turn out not to represent the song as a whole. But a funny thing happened. I couldn't get the melodies from those 30-second samples out of my head. That is very unusual, and a sure sign that there is some strong songwriting on Omega. So, I finally downloaded it via Amazon, and seriously, guys, it is GOOD. Firstly, the record sounds fantastic--the excitement and power of the debut record but with no early-80s, dated production sheen. Clear strong sound, lots of air, not overly compressed and loud. Second, from the playing it is immediately clear that these old guys are not going through the motions (as I gather many thought they were on Pheonix, which I've not listened to yet). They are pumped up. The playing is really strong, tight, not flashy, no long solos (sorry proggers. . . I wouldn't have minded a few myself), but lots of very thoughtful licks that serve the song. The excitement and FUN is immediately apparent and very winning. I can't really believe how great Wetton's voice still sounds. I'm tempted to say better than ever--he used to have just a little bit of pitch trouble in the old days but his voice is now a very appealing, powerful and strong instrument in itself. Third, and most important--the SONGS. Really good writing, nearly every song has multiple strong melodies in the verses and choruses, that stay with you after one listen. This is an art that is sadly lost today, even by those like Asia who once had a firm grasp on it--well, no more for this group. Like most records today, it should be 45 min. instead of 60 (I'd get rid of "There Was a Time" and "I Believe", two of the weaker tracks), but oh, those 45 minutes--great tunes played with excitement, joy, and power by excellent musicians. To those who blast this release for being pop: oh, jeez, get over yourself. Asia was always a pop band and a great one. They prove it here. For those who lament, for example, that "Carl Palmer is given so little to do here": firstly, don't be misled. I'm a drummer, and to play with strength, control, and to really swing in the beat while driving the song forward---that is not simple. Sometimes banging all over the kit to something like "Tarkus" is actually easier than what Palmer does here, for example. Also: did it ever occur to you that no one is "giving" any of these guys "little to do"? Did it occur to you that, like me, and (hopefully) like you, these musicians like many types of music and choose, in the context of Asia (Howe has played much more proggy material recently with Yes, you know), to write and play great, sophisticated pop songs that sound great on the radio? Maybe "Emily" sounds like the Beatles because. . . hold on to your seats. . . .the guys in Asia LIKE THE BEATLES. Who doesn't? The relevant question is not: is it prog, or is it Asia? The relevant question is: is it good? And the answer is yes. I was not at all prepared to love this record, but I do. The guys have really pulled it off, and I hope that they get recognized for it. Are the lyrics sometimes banal? Sure, just like they were on the debut record, and frankly, in much of what Wetton does. But this is not the Shins, or Belle and Sebastian, or Grizzly Bear, OK? This is classic, big, catchy, prog-pop that would sound awesome blasting out of a radio this summer (not that it will probably get much airplay these days). Enjoy it for what it is, check your cynicism for a minute and dig it. With "Finger on the Trigger" blasting away, I can tell you, I at least feel like I did in 1982, when I heard "Heat of the Moment" and raced to the stereo to hit record on my cassette tape filled with airshots of top 40 hits on WKTI, Milwaukee, 94.5 FM. At $7.99 to download the album, you can't go wrong.

15人のお客様がこれが役に立ったと考えています

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H.Schwoch

OMEGA - ein Hinweis auf das nahende Ende?

2010年5月23日にドイツでレビュー済み

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Das Debütalbum ASIA von 1982 stellte eigentlich ein Verlegenheitswerk von vier Musikern dar, die gerade nicht wussten, was sie sonst machen sollten. Der ewige Tramp John Wetton (Vocals, Bass) war nach einem kurzfristigen Engagement bei Wishbone Ash gerade mal wieder frei. Gitarrist Steve Howe hatte seine langjährige musikalische Heimat Yes verloren, Keyboarder Geoff Downes seine kurzfristige. Und Drummer Carl Palmer wusste nach dem Ende von Emerson, Lake & Palmer schon seit geraumer Zeit nicht mehr, was eigentlich Sache war. Also tat man sich zusammen, feierte mit der eingängigen Single "Heat of the Moment" einen weltweiten Überraschungserfolg und sah ungläubig zu, wie sich die LP zur Single bis auf Platz 1 der amerikanischen Charts empor arbeitete; ein Triumph, den tatsächlich keiner dieser Heroen jemals zuvor erreicht hatte.

Bereits 1983 folgte mit dem atemlosen Ohrwurmwunderwerk ALPHA das nächste Erfolgsalbum, wenn auch die Positionen und vor allen Dingen die Verweildauer in den Charts nicht so ganz mit dem Erstling Schritt halten konnten. Das galt in jenen goldenen Tagen der Plattenindustrie schon als ernsthafte Enttäuschung und führte - neben gewissen persönlichen Animositäten - zu offenbar unlösbaren Problemen innerhalb der Band.

Zuerst war Steve Howe weg und dann auch Carl Palmer und John Wetton, doch der Bandname Asia blieb der Musikwelt dank Geoffrey Downes erhalten. Und schließlich, nach sage und schreibe 25 Jahren, war das legendäre Quartett tatsächlich wieder vereint!

Asia werden in der Urbesetzung sicherlich niemals eine schlechte Platte machen; dafür sind diese Routiniers musikalisch und kompositorisch viel zu begnadet und mit allen Wassern des Business gewaschen. Aber es ist schon interessant, wie gut OMEGA, das zweite 'Comeback'-Album der Originalformation, bei den meisten Rezensenten im Vergleich zu ihrer 2008 erschienenen Scheibe PHOENIX abschneidet.

PHOENIX soll schlechter produziert gewesen sein als OMEGA? Sorry, da muss ich wohl irgendwas mit den Ohren haben, denn das glatte Gegenteil ist der Fall. OMEGA soll bessere Songs als PHOENIX enthalten? Sorry, aber auch dagegen muss ich ernsthaft Protest einlegen!

Es geht schon los mit dem jeweiligen Eröffnungssong: PHOENIX startete mit dem phantastischen Reißer "Never Again", während "Finger on the Trigger" von OMEGA sicherlich auch ein tolles Stück darstellt, aber eben doch längst bekannt war von dem Wetton/Downes Album ICON 2. Man kann immerhin trefflich darüber streiten, welche Version die gelungenere ist.

Dann kommen die beiden stärksten neuen Nummern des Albums: das majestätische "Through My Veins" und "Holy War", das vom Arrangement und mit seinem plakativen Refrain hervorragend auf ALPHA gepasst hätte. Danach geht's aber leider auch schon bergab. Was folgt, sind im Wesentlichen recht zahme, mittelschnelle bis balladenhafte Songs, deren kompositorische Klasse zwar immer noch 80 Prozent des Schaffens aktueller Bands in den Schatten stellt, die aber eben nicht dem gerecht werden, was ich auf einer Asia-Platte erwarte. Da fehlt mir einfach das Bombastische, Jubelnde, immer leicht Übersteigerte und, ja, auch diese kleine Prise 70er-Jahre-Prog, die natürlich vor allem auf dem Debütabum, aber dann auch wieder auf PHOENIX hin und wieder zu hören war. Manchmal fühle ich mich auf OMEGA ein bisschen an die Beatles erinnert (etwa bei "I'm Still the Same"), aber verdammt noch mal, ich will keine neue Beatles-Platte, sondern ein neues Asia-Album hören!

Recht bemerkenswert ist noch "End of the World"; zum Beispiel durch das für Steve Howe geradezu rührend gefühlvolle Solo am Ende des Songs. Und auch die zunächst simpel erscheinende, aber melodisch sehr reizvolle Wetton-Ballade "Emily" mit schönen Beiträgen von Downes an den Keyboards und Howe an der Gitarre vermag mich zu erfreuen.

Ich konstatiere abschließend: Auf PHOENIX hatten die meisten Stücke irgendetwas Besonderes, auf OMEGA leider nur recht wenige. Vielleicht fasst diese, natürlich höchst subjektive, Aussage meinen Vergleich der beiden Alben am Einfachsten zusammen. Nein, Halt, es geht noch kürzer: Ich liebe PHOENIX, und ich mag OMEGA.

PS: Werden Asia in dieser, ihrer besten Formation noch ein Weilchen zusammen bleiben? Oder soll OMEGA, der letzte Buchstabe des griechischen Alphabets, etwa doch ein Hinweis auf das nahende Ende der fabelhaften Altherrenkombo sein?

PPS: Das Covermotiv von Roger Dean ist das mit Abstand Schwächste, das ich von diesem großen Künstler jemals zu Gesicht bekommen habe!

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James Gerofsky

One for the Ladies

2010年7月18日にアメリカ合衆国でレビュー済み

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Falsetto vocals. The story of a tragic romance with a lesbian. Children dancing barefoot in the moonlight. Assurances that God is love and that love is the key to happiness. Fast pop tempos and spacey, high-octave synthesizer riffs. Promises of "semper fidelis" to one's beloved. Sexual innuendo, but more cutesy than Kiss-like. This is Asia?

My brother and I were fans from early on, but mostly lost interest after John Wetton left (although John Payne's Asia did put out a handful of interesting tunes). So we were quite pleased to hear some years ago that the original Asia had reformed and was recording again. We both enjoyed Phoenix , although it was apparent that things had changed from the glory days. With OMEGA, things have changed even more. We were listening to Omega the other day, first time for my brother, when he said "I'm not sure what their marketing plan is for this". Just who is the target audience?

After a while, it struck me. This one is meant to interest women of any age above the Taylor Swift crowd. Quite interesting - an aging supergroup whose former audience demographic, i.e. young men, have long abandoned Asia's bombastic, high-intensity prog/rock musical style. You can't go home again. But your lead singer still has an angelic voice, your keyboard man has a techno-pop heritage, and the guitar and drum guys have enough talent to adapt to anything. So you try some different directions and write songs about love, devotion, loss, sensuality, spirituality and feelings. You make sure the words will thank the someone-special in a man's life, or savor her memory. Yes, I believe that's the marketing plan.

OK, Omega wasn't produced exclusively for guys who turned to Asia in 1982 when Yes and ELP had seemingly lost their creative muse. But it still offers us enough to make Omega worth a listen. Actually, many of the songs are quite good; but they are not in the style that we will remember Asia for. I could only imagine two songs that could have appeared on Asia or Alpha . Those would be Through My Veins and There Was a Time. Finger on the Trigger is a standard rocking album-opener, and Ever Yours is a rehash of elements from Heroine and I Will Remember You from Phoenix (but I personally liked those songs, so I don't really mind).

Holy War brings back the old anti-war message and socially-involved lyrics, but the music behind it is not the usual brooding, ELP-like dirge; it's more happy and snappy, making for an odd mix. Listen Children and Light The Way continue the up-tempo pop trend. End of the World seems to bring back the pompous contemplation of a world gone wrong (e.g. Rock and Roll Dream and Countdown to Zero from ASTRA), but then turns to love as the answer. I Believe is part 2 to this theme. I'm Still the Same could be used in one of those old "follow the bouncing ball" sing-along shows of long ago. The mood behind the opening lines of Don't Wanna Lose You Now reminds me of Starbuck's Moonlight Feels Right, but Asia still hasn't used a xylophone (although Moonlight's synthesizer refrains are similar to some of Geoff's work on Omega).

And then there's Emily, the story of the girlfriend who ultimately "bats for the other side". Many reviewers don't like this tune, calling it "Beatles-esque"; probably from the bouncy piano intro. And yet, Steve Howe later adds a nice guitar break, and the last 40 seconds or so sound like the fade-out from Open Your Eyes. Thus, the music is just as confused and bittersweet as the relationship.

So this one is different from the old Asia groove, more "sensitive", more Barry Mantilow. Phoenix was heading in that direction, but Omega seems to have crossed the line. And yet, many of the elements that made us prog guys love Asia in the first place are still there. You still hear an occasional echo of the past, close your eyes and say . . . Yes. Omega, like Phoenix, is a John Wetton album. But Geoff Downes comes in a close second; his keyboard work leads along new paths (new for Asia, anyway). Steve Howe is third in overall influence, but the quality of his guitar work keeps this album from fermenting into cheese. And Carl Palmer is there, drumming skillfully and vigorously but with few opportunities to show off his power, as in the old days.

I hope the new marketing strategy works, as it is good to have the original Asia team out there. Omega is still worth a listen, even if you are a (sole) survivor of the old marketing strategy.

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PsAustrinus

Asia being Asia.... but Paynelessly so. 4.4 out of 5 stars.

2013年8月2日にアメリカ合衆国でレビュー済み

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I would love to give this album 5 stars, but I can't. The best material on Omega is excellent, and one song on here bids fair to be the best they ever recorded, but there are some weak stretches that kind of leave you waiting for the next piece before the current one has finished playing.
My original review was posted before I had fully developed a reviewing methodology, so the numeric rankings you see have been slightly altered, though none by very much. I have added a little more material on some of these songs.
Taking it song by song, 1-5:

FINGER ON THE TRIGGER - 4.7. Classic Asia sound, driving beat and edgy guitar work. Great opening cut.
THROUGH MY VEINS - 4.5. Change of pace, darker and more haunting. Nice song from Steve Howe.
HOLY WAR - 4.3. Asia has always taken an antiwar stance and this is the most intelligent and listenable song they have written in this idiom. An extra 1/2 point for rhyming "Agincourt" with "conquistador" without sounding stupid.
EVER YOURS - 3.1 - The album slows down here with a more spiritual ballad that, while heartfelt, leaves me wanting something more. The one thing that I really like about this song, and what saves it for me, is the obvious humility in the singer's words.
LISTEN CHILDREN - 2.3. Attempts to create an Africanesque spirituality, but it doesn't work for me - but that may be my problem, not theirs. (I do know that someone should tell John and Geoff that if it's midnight, as the song says, the new moon CANNOT be rising high; the new moon rises at the same time as the sun.) This song really needed a lot more of the cultural elements of African music to really stand out.
END OF THE WORLD - 2.8. Harder-edged than the previous two, creates a dichotomy between internal and external strife and attempts to resolve it through spiritual assurance in the chorus. The verses are much better than the choruses are, unfortunately. But at least I don't hit the Skip button on this one anymore.
LIGHT THE WAY - 3.7. Finally. There are still a few weaknesses here lyrically but this one really wakes me up after the last three. Driving tempo, thudding beat, soaring vocal. Good strong stuff.
EMILY (bonus) - 4.2 I don't get why some people have posted such negative remarks about this song. It's quirky, and a little goofy, and clearly steals something from the Beatles (I kind of picture Father McKenzie being secretly in love with Eleanor Rigby, only to find he's barking up the wrong tree), but so what? I like it.
STILL THE SAME - 4.1. This one puts me in mind of ELO's "Turn to Stone" in terms of the beat and melody. Not what I expect from Asia, but good stuff nonetheless.
THERE WAS A TIME - 5.0. With an exclamation point. The first time I heard this song, I kept thinking of "Open Your Eyes" from Alpha, and I've always connected the two as being endpoints of one relationship. This is a bitter, sad, angry reflection on a past love affair that hits on every point. Best song on the album, one of their two best all-time.
I BELIEVE - 4.3. The album shifts gears again, becoming more hopeful and uptempo. Anthemic, optimistic song that emphasizes faith without being obnoxious about it. Asia opened their show with this song on the Omega tour (see "Resonance") and that was a very smart choice.
DON'T WANT TO LOSE YOU NOW - 3.3. If there is one real change in my review, it's here. I didn't like this song for a while, but the obvious Beatle-filching and the laid-back tone finally grew on me. It's a more mellow ending than I might have liked - like blowing out a candle at bedtime - but that's not all bad. Sleep well.

Bottom line: If you're an Asia fan, get this album. If you're a more casual listener, go online and give "There was a Time" a listen: I defy anyone to tell me that that song would not have been a huge hit in the 1981-1985 years. Or "Finger On The Trigger," for that matter. Granted, these songs WEREN'T released then, but there is a difference between being behind the curve (see most of the "Aqua" album) and telling the curve to get stuffed, which is what this band is doing now.

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J. Estadt

Asia's back with pleasing Omega

2010年5月23日にアメリカ合衆国でレビュー済み

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Those of us that remember the music scene in the early 80's remember Asia rolling off a string of power pop hits with great frequency. Lead vocalist/bassist John Wetton has said, "Asia is an English prog-rock band with a pop edge, always has been, and hopefully always will be. Accessible, melodic, anthemic songs with great playing, luxuriating in a bed of lush orchestration, with lyrics that strike a sympathetic chord in even the most cynical heart." That description is very accurate as to what you will find on their latest recording, "Omega".

The album kicks off with 'Finger On The Trigger'. As others have already noted this song was previously released on the Wetton/Downes album Icon II - Rubicon . On that recording it's not as muscular or rocking as it here with Steve Howe's guitar work leading it off. Has that classic Asia sound and a good choice to kick off the recording.

"Through My Veins" is a Wetton/Howe collaboration that is a more laid back song. Solid tune with haunting lyrics.

"Holy War" gives drummer Carl Palmer a bit of a workout during the bridge as he hammers away under the textured music before kicking in the final chorus. A very catchy song melody wise even though it concerns the 'killing for God' mentality that has existed throughout the ages as justification for war.

"Ever Yours" is back to being more laid back. The shortest song on the disc, shows off Wetton's warm voice in this love song.

"Listen Children" is back to being more upbeat. The chorus is a joyous celebration of music and dancing and also opens into a bit of prog rock territory allowing Howe to add a few riffs over cascading keyboards. A very listenable pop oriented song.

"End Of The World" starts off heavy before the lyrics describe terrible conditions. The chorus is one of optimism and faith being able to get a person through everything going on around them. Once again, Steve Howe gets to add his quick fingered runs during the bridge. Another strong song.

"Light The Way" is another Howe/Wetton collaboration that starts out with a synth line that sounds right out of the 80's. Great catchy chorus about how sometimes you have to let go of what has happened in the past in order to find your way.

"Emily" is the most fun song on the recording to me. Wetton's pleading vocals to the woman of his dreams to stop ignoring him and give him a chance. The last verse puts a spin on the song that had me laughing out loud.

"I'm Still The Same" is a song about love gone bad. The layered vocals remind me of a Beach Boys song for some reason as it fades out.

"There Was A Time" showcases Wetton's singing. At times warm and at times emotionally raw and pleading. Another song about loss of love, this one is lyrically the most heartfelt regarding the emotions of the loss.

"I Believe" is another classic sounding Asia song about getting through every day regardless of the roadblocks laid out before you. The chorus is another singalong with the layered textured vocals.

"Dont Wanna Lose You Now" is an odd song to close the recording on. Personally, I would have closed with 'I Believe' as a more upbeat and catchy number. 'Lose You Now' is a more laid back tune about the emotional strength gained from love. Wetton's voice sounds good again and turns it into another song to sing along with.

Overall impressions is that Omega is a more cohesive recording then their last recording, Phoenix, was. Every song on Omega has that pop music feel to it, without being constrained to the normal pop song structure. All of the tunes are catchy with their melodies and the upbeat tunes are very well done. I find these songs growing more and more on me and I enjoy it more then Phoenix, which I did like for the most part. The only reason I can't give it 5 stars is because there was just a few too many of the laid back songs for my personal taste, but it is a solid 4 - 4.5 from me. If you enjoy pop/rock well done and thought out instead of just three chord angst, you really should consider this recording.

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Omega by Asia (2010-04-21)

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