venerdì 12 giugno 2009

ASIA I (ASIA) - 1982


Re-post dell'album "Asia I" (Asia) (post originale: 6 giugno 2007).

Re-post of Asia's "Asia I" (originally posted on June 6th, 2007).


L’album d’esordio del supergruppo Asia (John Wetton, Steve Howe, Carl Palmer, Geoff Downes) porta lo stesso nome della band, ed è considerato da molti (fra i quali il sottoscritto) il loro lavoro migliore. Nel 1981, John Wetton e Steve Howe (reduce dalla recente dipartita dagli Yes) iniziarono a lavorare al progetto “Asia”. A loro si unirono ben presto Carl Palmer (degli E. L. & P.) e Geoff Downes (ex membro dei Buggles e degli stessi Yes cui apparteneva Steve Howe).
L’album omonimo d’esordio (che posto oggi) uscì nel 1982 e, sulla scia dei successoni a 45 giri “Heat of the moment” e “Only time will tell”, ebbe un enorme successo commerciale, raggiungendo i primi posti nelle classifiche di molti paesi (Stati Uniti inclusi). I brani di questo album dimostrano la loro freschezza a distanza di ormai 25 anni, e vengono tuttora proposti da molte emittenti che trasmettono musica rock. Tuttavia, i critici e molti fan di rock progressivo rimasero delusi da questo album, la cui musica assomigliava troppo, a quanto pare, al pop più commerciale.
Che questo sia vero o meno, “Asia” è comunque da ascoltare, e molti dei suoi brani (es. “Only time will tell”, “Sole survivor”, “Cutting it fine”, “Without you”) rappresentano esempi di buon rock.
Voto personale (insufficiente / sufficiente / buono / distinto / ottimo / eccellente): Distinto.

The first album released by arena progressive rock group Asia (John Wetton, Steve Howe, Carl Palmer, Geoff Downes) bears the same band name and is considered to be their best one. Founding members John Wetton and Steve Howe (having come out of the break-up of Yes in early 1981) started working and writing in 1981 and were subsequently joined by Carl Palmer (from E. L. & P.) and Geoff Downes (who had previously worked with Buggles and Yes themselves.
Asia’s eponymous album (which I’m posting today) was released in 1982 and, boosted by famous singles “Heat of the moment” and “Only time will tell”, enjoyed massive commercial success, becoming a Number 1 hit in many countries (including the U.S.A.). The tracks from the Asia debut have stood the test of time and are played on classic rock stations throughout the world today. Yet, Asia’s first album was considered disappointing by music critics and many fans of traditional progressive rock, who found the music closer to radio-friendly pop.
In any case, “Asia” is worth a listen, as many of its tracks (e.g. “Only time will tell”, “Sole survivor”, “Cutting it fine”, “Without you”) are no doubt very good examples of rock music.
My personal mark (poor / pass / good / fairly good / very good / excellent): Fairly good.

ASIA (1982):

John Wetton - basso, voce (bass, vocals)
Steve Howe - chitarre, voci (guitars, backing vocals)
Geoff Downes - tastiere, voci (keyboards, backing vocals)
Carl Palmer - batteria e percussioni (drums and percussions)

TRACK LIST:

1. Heat of the moment
2. Only time will tell
3. Sole survivor
4. One step closer
5. Time again
6. Wildest dreams
7. Without you
8. Cutting it fine
9. Here comes the feeling

ASIA I (ASIA) - 80,5 MB

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