Top 10 Alert!
Song#: 1551 Date: 07/30/1983
Debut: 50
Peak: 10
Weeks: 13
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: Supergroup Asia's self-titled debut album was a big hit reaching #1 and going multi-platinum. It was certainly helped along by the #1 Rock track "Heat of the Moment" (#4 Pop). Expectations were high for their follow-up and this first single from their album Alpha returned them to the top of the Rock chart and the Pop Top 10. This seemed like a good omen, but the album just didn't seem to have the same legs as their debut. It peaked quickly at #6 and would eventually only garner platinum status. The album was no bomb by any means, but the drop in sales and popularity was certainly a disappointment.
ReduxReview: I remember being excited about the new album as I loved their debut so much. The first sign of trouble was this single. I liked it, but didn't love it. I thought it was rather weak when compared to their more intense prog-rock-ish tunes from the first album. But there has to be something to sell the album, so I still couldn't wait to get it. I'm sure it would be far better. Well...it wasn't. For me, the material just wasn't there. It felt like they were pushed to write more commercial fare and it showed. What made them special had pretty much disappeared. While I like this song, it is just a pop tune wrapped in loud keyboards and reverb. Sure, their debut had hooky tunes, but there was something more to them and they had a real majestic feel. It was all just disappointing. Based on sales, I wasn't the only one who felt that way.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: Later in '83, songwriter and lead singer John Wetton left the band. Stories conflict as to whether he left on his own or if he was forced out, but it seemed the lacks of sales for the album and concert ticket sales (the fall leg of their US tour was cancelled), took a toll (as did his drug use it seemed) and Wetton was out. Another prog-rocker, Greg Lake (of Emerson Lake & Palmer) took over lead duties, specifically for a Japan tour and live satellite concert event. It didn't go all that well and Lake took off. The group made up with Wetton and he rejoined in time to record their third LP.
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