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Band:Asia Album:Phoenix Record Company:EMI America Writer: Mark Carras Media: MySpace Click Album Cover To Buy Now

I know what some of you are thinking. Isn't this a little wimpy for Rock My Monkey? Well yeah it is, but I just had a really shitty day at my paying gig and I needed something to mellow out to. This is the perfect thing for that. It is mellow as fucking hell, but still very well crafted musical composition. See that is what it is all about with me. I just like well crafted music. I don't care if I am listening to Slayer's Seasons In The Abyss, Motorhead's classic Bastards, Overkill's new release Immortalis, Nevermore's The Politics of Ecstasy, or any number of releases I have played way too many times. It is all about how well crafted the music is. Now granted most of the stuff I listen to is ten times more heavy than Phoenix by Asia. I can still appreciate this for being a cd full of songs that were put together with a respect for music as an art form that demands more than just banging your head. If you can't tell the difference between something like this and some of the tripe you hear on a Kenny G release or 99% of the American Idol garbage then you do not enjoy music for the same reasons I do. For me it not about some false sense of brutality. I like some craftsmanship shown and that is what this cd is all about.

The song "Alibis" is the kind of song I want to hear when I am forced by the cruelty of life to get up with less than my 8 hours. It's got some energy to it without being some full on assault. This is what you want to hear when you need to wake up gently. Now keep in mind that as of this year, there are two distinct groups using the Asia name. This cd is a reunion of the band's original line-up. There is also a version Featuring John Payne with several members from later incarnations of Asia. For this review we are talking about the line up with Geoff Downes, John Wetton, Steve Howe, & Carl Palmer. it should also be noted that this is the first cd to have all four original members since 1983's Alpha. "Shadow Of A Doubt" also has that same 'easy morning' feel to it. Now one thing I like about this is that the vocals still sound great. Why is this so amazing? Have you heard some of the blown out vocals of other band's that had hits in the 80's? This guy sounds like he could do "Heat Of The Moment" without breaking a sweat! Thankfully though, this is not about re-hashing any hits.

So did this Rock My Monkey? No, but for this cd that is a good thing. Kind of like if you really need a good steak and someone hands you an ice cream. Both great things, but at this moment I wanted to mellow out so I could get some sleep. This cd works great for calming me down. Will I listen to it again after this cd review is done. Not sure, but I am sticking it in the bathroom for when I want to wake up to a warm shower and some Asia. This cd may not Rock My Monkey, but it might make me feel like a Phoenix some mornings.

Band:Asia Album:Phoenix Record Company:EMI America Writer: Mark Carras Media: MySpace Click Album Cover To Buy Now

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