The Very Best of Asia: Heat of the Moment (1982-1990) [2000, Geffen/Universal 069 490 554-2]

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The Very Best of Asia: Heat of the Moment (1982-1990) [2000, Geffen/Universal 069 490 554-2]

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The period cover by this collection was of course Asia's halcyon days when they were a true supergroup who's members origins included ELP, YES, KING CRIMSON, URIAH HEEP, etc.. Asia are the subject of great controversy among prog fans, with many feeling that with such a strong and talented line up, they should have created prog masterpieces to surpass their peers. What they came up with though was elementary power pop rock. Short songs which pack a punch then finish all too soon.

In their early years, the format was enormously successful, taking the band, and everyone else, by surprise. This collection captures the essence of that success, and includes both their hit singles, and many of their album tracks which could have been equally successful in that field.

"Heat of the moment" and "Only time will tell" open the album in familiar fashion, and set the tone for next hour plus of music. If these tracks leave you cold, there's no point in listening to the rest.

John Wetton's majestic ballad "The smile has left your eyes" is here of course, as is the more prog like "Open your eyes". Also present are the wall of sound "Go", and the anthemic "Voice of America" from the "Astra" album. For me, the only obvious omission in fact is from that album, as the Meatloaf/Steinman sounding "Rock and roll dream" was probably just too long to squeeze in.

An excellent collection of the band's work, with a couple of comparative rarities thrown in for good measure, from what was arguably there greatest era.

by Easy Livin, progarchives

Why Asia was the recipient of so much venomous criticism from the so-called hip music press is baffling. Okay, the original supergroup's members, vocalist/bassist John Wetton, guitarist Steve Howe, keyboardist Geoff Downes, and drummer Carl Palmer, were veterans of reviled progressive rock acts like Yes and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and perhaps the formation seemed cooked up by dollar-blinded record-company brass and even the musicians themselves. But the fact is that Asia expertly combined stellar instrumental prowess with killer hooks and choruses – and, yeah, more than a little bombast – particularly on 1982's self-titled debut. What more could critics who allegedly value virtuoso musicianship and pop craftsmanship want? The Very Best of Asia: Heat of the Moment (1982-1990), while not perfect, is superior to 1990's wretched, poorly conceived compilation Then & Now (which somehow considered 1985's "Voice of America" a "now" selection). It's a fine collection for casual fans of splendid hits like "Heat of the Moment," "Only Time Will Tell," "Don't Cry," and "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes." For diehards, it's essential for the three rare B-sides "Daylight," "Lying to Yourself," and "Ride Easy" and the detailed liner notes. Unfortunately, stellar Asia tracks "Sole Survivor" and "Here Comes the Feeling" are the choppily edited single versions. The powerful "The Heat Goes On" from 1983's Alpha showed the original quartet still had some magic, even if some other material on the album didn't. Krokus' Mandy Meyer replaced Howe on 1985's unjustly ignored Astra, which is best represented by the explosive rocker "Go." The oddly enjoyable Then & Now cut "Days Like These" features Toto guitarist Steve Lukather.

by Bret Adams, AMG

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The Very Best of Asia: Heat of the Moment (1982-1990) [2000, Geffen/Universal 069 490 554-2]

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The Very Best of Asia: Heat of the Moment (1982-1990) [2000, Geffen/Universal 069 490 554-2]

Close