Asia Album: “The Definitive Collection”

Released in 2006 on the heals of the original lineup of Asia reuniting, 'The Definitive Collection' features your standard, garden variety Asia songs that you'd always find on a compilation. 'Heat of the Moment,' 'Only Time Will Tell,' 'Go,' 'Don't Cry,' 'The Smile Has Left Your Eyes,' 'Sole Survivor,' you name it. It's all here. But my complaint to Geffen Records is, hasn't this all been done before? Geffen did this type of thing in 2000, and attached a few rarities at the end to keep the die-hards satisfied. The only thing here that a true collector might want is an updated remix of 'Go,' which is admittedly not that good (and it certainly isn't better than the studio version found on 1985's 'Astra'). So, if you are a casual fan who has absolutely no desire to buy the studio albums (which I can't see why -- there are only 5 from the Wetton-led years) but wants a few songs just to have for the sake of having them, 'The Definitive Collection' is as good a choice as any. But, you can do much better, namely by buying the studio albums. 'Heat of the Moment: The Very Best of Asia 1982-1990' is actually better, but not by much.

MY ADVICE: Just buy the five studio albums: 'Asia,' 'Alpha,' 'Astra,' 'Phoenix,' and 'Omega.' They're all very cheap used here on Amazon, and they are all loaded with great music. And, if you want 'Days Like These' and the other new tracks this band cut in 1990, check out 'Then & Now,' which certainly isn't a great compilation, but it features those four new exclusive tracks not found anywhere else. So if you are a fanatic or you want to be a fanatic, you kind of have to get that one anyway. That one is also dirt cheap as well. But, unless you HAVE to have that new remix of 'Go' or you just want a quick, dirty look at Asia's first eight years, just pass go here and go straight for the studio albums. You'll be glad you did this.

This is as good as ASIA gets! It's everything you remember them to be and better than you thought!Its got a few songs you belt out the words to and some you heard before better never knew were ASIA performing. I recommend this album above all the other compilations ASIA has, you won't be disappointed!

I have to admit this but I didn't buy the cd here. If you look, you can buy this cd that includes a dvd of Asia videos from another source. And at a couple dollars less.

The music and the included dvd makes this collection 3 1/2 stars for me. Without the dvd, it's just another greatest hits collection.

This is probably the best single CD Asia compilation on the market not just for it's value but it gives you 16 superb selections from their Geffen Years (82-90) in their full album length with the original Wetton-Downes-Howe-Palmer lineup and it is even cheaper than buying the 20th Century Masters Millennium Collection which omits "Wildest Dreams," "Here Comes the Feeling," "Wishing" and the remix of "Go" which is basically extended in time (7:16) and adds more percussion into the mix (I believe it was issued as a 12" single in the UK in '85). If you buy the CD + DVD set it is even a better value for there are six music videos on the DVD in which some of them tell stories and it's not just always footage of the band performing (unlike many 80s music videos). These videos are rough to find in high quality and are not available in the iTunes Store. Also, The 20th Century Masters DVD omits the video for "Go" which is found on the DVD here.

If you are going for an Asia one disc CD collection, go for this CD + DVD set here as you'll save especially if you buy used. If you want more go for "Gold" as it is a remastered repressing of "Anthologia: The 20th Anniversary/Geffen Years Collection (1982-1990)" which is a 2 disc collection that features all their material from the Geffen Years (self titled, Alpha, Astra, Then & Now and even the b-sides) with the original lineup. "Gold" has better mastering and can be found cheaper than "Anthologia" as it is out of print. Otherwise this collection here is perfect.

This is a wonderful CD. Thanks for your careful pakaging and super quick shipment! Truly a company with the human touch.