Asia - XXX

Here we go again with another Asia release and so far they haven't exactly done us any favors with new music since their heyday. The big issue with Asia is they are slick overproduced AOR and not so much a progressive rock act which they and their fans so want them to be. Unlike the impeccable Yes album from last year this album leaves way to much to be desired.

The lead vocals are missing power and I think that's due to production. More layers and a little oomph in the delivery could have helped. Howe and Downes are not anywhere near as inspired on XXX as they seemed to be in the creation of Fly Away From Here. XXX has some average material about what you'd expect after listening to anything post '83. There are some songs that are inexplicably bad where the trio of musicians should be ashamed to have released it. Then you get the one song that tweaks your ears "Ghost Of A Chance". The only song on the album that made me think I'd listen to this more than once or twice.

In the end this is an Asia album they have never been much good at making great albums that drive me to play them multiple times not even the debut does that for me. I believe if you are a fan of their very polished AOR blandness then this album will sound like Beethoven just rolled out of his grave and finished a new symphony. If you are a casual fan or liked their hit singles don't even bother because they don't come close to delivering anything that will satisfy you. One look at the mailed in album art and you should be sure that this album is nothing more than a reason to play live and pretend your still viable.