Genre: Progressive Rock
Places I remember: Real Groovy in Queen Street, Auckland.
Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Don't Cry (the first track side one, when John Wetton's vocals start you know all is right with the world). The cheesy Indiana Jones style video should be in a time capsule somewhere!
Gear costume: The Heat Goes On.
Active compensatory factors: Ah, supergroups...sigh. Sometimes they disappoint but often they are AMAZING.
My top 10:
- Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young
- Emerson, Lake, and Palmer
- Cream
- The Traveling Wilburys
- The Plastic Ono Band
- Golden Smog
- Flying Colors
- Chickenfoot
- West Bruce and Laing
- Asia
That first Asia album was pretty special. Similarly, Alpha, their second album, is a worthy addition to the sub genre of supergroup albums.
Asia's pedigree is damn impressive. Members came from bands like Yes, King Crimson, Emerson Lake and Palmer. Together they made a smoothly commercial brand of progressive rock.
John Wetton's voice alone is worth the entry price but the songs themselves are catchy and challenging enough to warrant your sustained interest.
Given all that, I can forgive the slick eighties production sensibilities. Do try it!
Where do they all belong? Yes (the Geoff Downes version), King Crimson (the early records), Emerson Lake and Palmer (the ones that Greg Lake sings on).
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