FLU EPIDEMIC CONTINUES

ASIA Alpha

(Geffen)

Michael Davis

Why Asia? Why have these four refugees from the ruins of ELP, Yes and UK actually achieved the megaplatinum sales figures predicted for every supergroup since Blind Faith? British rock bands have formed, broken up and reformed for years; what’s so special about Asia?

Change the question to “what is Asia?” and you’ll begin to get some useful answers. One or more hearings of Alpha makes one thing clear: despite the pedigrees of its members, Asia is not a progressive rock band. Anyone harboring remaining fantasies that the combination of Wetton, Palmer, Howe and Downes would result in a unit dedicated to musical exploration should lay them to rest in the nearest landfill as soon as possible.