OMEGA (E)

Not many people would have anticipated that Asia in the original line-up would get back together again after some 25 years and even less that they would continue to play live and producing new albums of a high quality. On the other hand: with Emerson, Lake & Palmer just performing one reunion gig this year, Yes touring less and John Wetton having overcome his heart condition and dealing satisfactorily with his carpal tunnel syndrome on both wrists, Asia is the perfect vehicle for these four established world-class musicians to survive in this hectic world where music and art doesn't seem to matter as much as it used to. The album opens with the powerful Finger On The Trigger: a mid-tempo rock song with good vocals by Wetton, a pumping bass and nice organ sounds by Geoffrey Downes while Steve Howe's guitar sounds different from Heat Of The Moment or from Yes. Although one recognizes his technique, the sound is slightly different. Producer Mike Paxman did a fine job. InThrough My Veins the atmosphere of the Alpha album returns: tasteful orchestrations and as always fine melodies. After The Buggles-like intro, the perfect sing-along song would be Holy War, superb hooks, nice vocal harmonies in the choruses and yet another guitar sound provides the perfect mix between progressive, rock and pop. The extremely wonderful symphonic interlude is pure delight and differs from the distinguished sound of Icon bij Wetton/Downes. The ultimate love song with the characteristic orchestrations by Downes is Ever Yours, a ballad in the best of Asia's rich history. If it would have been 1985 and I would have to pick a tune for a single, it would have been Listen Children: a call for kids to 'hear our music play', even the last request is in French! A fine fusion between Yes, The Buggles and John Wetton-solo with as usual refined drumming by drummer extraordinaire Carl Palmer. My favourite track is End Of The World having really great melodies, slow tempo, bombastic, symphonic and superb vocals by Wetton who is 'responding' to his own multiple harmonies as we used to hear by The Beach Boys. The progressive touch is provided by Howe in the symphonic end-piece. The first part of Light The Way could have been written and performed by IQ (with Paul Menel). Howe's guitar slides, Downes' keyboards sound like whistles and Palmer showcases his incredible technique, while 'the other half' of the song sounds like a fine pop tune. The bonus track for the first edition of this album is the love song Emily also in the pop genre. The deep bass sound by Wetton, subtle drumming by Palmer and Downes' piano are the accompaniment of Howe's slide guitar. Really awesome orchestrations in the middle section, then The Buggles-sound returns and Howe rounds off with a slide guitar. Downes' majestic keyboards open I'm Still The Same and The Beach Boys-sound returns, mixed with some influences of The Beatles as Wetton uses his falsetto voice. The rest of the track is sung with his 'normal' voice. Very subtle changes in key and refined arrangements make this song far too complex to be called a simple pop tune. Symphonic folk music in There Was A Time: the melodies could have been made by Blackmore's Night but there are lots of keyboards, as with Dare for instance, instead of mandolins or guitars. Orchestral sounds at the end remind you that you're dealing with a world-class (prog) rock band and Wetton showcases his vocal abilities which seem to get better still. What I would call a typical Asia-song is I Believe: mid-tempo, catchy choruses, the organ being the primary keyboard and the distinctive bombastic overall sound. The final track is a song that brings back memories from my childhood, because the sound of the sixties and seventies is recognizable: influences ranging from The Beatles - the trumpet sound at the end resembles Penny Lane - to ELO and thus a great trip to memory lane.

For me Omega is one of the very best albums in the AOR and melodic rock genre in 2010, but due to the participation of four icons of progressive rock music, the album is even more than that. It definitely sounds more like a group album than Phoenix, although I like that album very much as well, and it has this powerful mix of modern technology, superb craftsmanship and the influences of four decades of pop and rock music. Let's hope that Omega - the last letter in the Greek alphabet! - will not be Asia's last album. Anyway, this offering is highly recommended!