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I have mixed feelings about 'Alpha'. Asia have been savaged by music critics since they recorded their first note, a band of first-rate musicians who, having paid their dues in prog bands, decided it was time to cash in on a more commercial approach. There's no doubting the quality of the performances or the tunes. This, though, is almost rock's equivalent of a marching band, loaded with pomp and bombast. 'Never In A Million Years', for example, hooks you instantly, strutting along as if it knows it. What gives the game away is a series of lyrics that you know have no basis in feeling, mostly about cold-hearted females. The candy coating tends to lose its appeal halfway through as well as the tunes tend to lessen in quality, though Asia come up trumps at the end with 'Open Your Eyes'. 'Alpha' is possibly worth a higher rating than I've given it but it won't stand up to the repeated listens you can give albums by the bands these chaps used to be in.



Rating: 3 out of 5

Its always tough following up an immediate success and Asia found this to be the case with their second album. Firstly I must comment on Roger Dean's artwork on the cover; its fantastic and easily his best on all those Asia albums he did.

The musical content was very much a case of excellence followed by a huge disappointment. Don't Cry was passable and I understand written in a hurry and something of an afterthought, but its one of the better tracks on the whole thing.

Apart from The Heat Goes On the first side was largely a disappointment. The Heat.... is one of Asia's best ever tracks, a racey catchy number with Geoff Downes keyboards the highlight. Side two follows largely on from that with some forgettable tracks (I can't even recall their names they were that dire) but Open Your Eyes is again a great track and is in my top 10 of all time Asia songs.

To sum up, 4 out of 5 stars including the artwork and three really great tracks. The rest are a mish-mash of bland disappointment.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Huge in America, this album simply demonstrates why hearing any one of the tracks on the radio, (fat chance in the UK!), or listening to the whole album at home simply pumps you up and makes you feel good. Coupled with lyrics which fellow human-beings can relate to, Asia have always been on a well-deserved winner with their music. 'Alpha' and the debut album were outstanding, though the opportunity to sample more modern-day tracks hasn't come my way, but to cheer you up, either or both of these albums are a must for the CD rack.

Rating: 5 out of 5