Asia Album: “Anthologia: The 20th Anniversary/Geffen Years Collection (1982-1990)”

This is the best ever Asia compilation, compiling everything the original line-up recorded for Geffen. I always had a soft spot for the groups first two albums. Though many rock critics and old UK/ELP/Yes fans thought Asia was a money grabbing "sellout" the group was a interesting compromise of AOR-Pop songcraft VS Art-Prog-Pomp-Rock musicanship.

It's a shame that the original lineup didnt stay together for more than two albums. With all the talent this group had, who knows what they could have come up with? To my ears, later Asia albums just recycled the sound and formulas of two first albums to no great effect.

Besides all the hard to find B-Sides the mastering is a huge improvement over the original CD's that Geffen released in the 1980's. Those CD's were mastered with hardly any bass at all and had an annoyingly harsh sound quality. Digital recording was a new format in the early 80's and engineers were still learning how to record rock music with it. The new remasters sound great (played LOUD) with plenty of dynamics and sonic punch. So even if you have the old CD's this 2-CD compilation is a outstanding upgrade.

I can't say enough good things about this compilation. This 2 CD set is definitely a must have for the serious Asia fan. I will never forget the first time that I heard the first guitar strains of Steve Howe on "Heat of the Moment!" I truly thought to myself that it was some of the best music that I had heard up until that time in the early eighties. The songs only got better as the album went on. Of course the compilation takes in all the songs from the first three albums, b-sides, and others thrown in for good measure. The second album "Alpha" has a little different feel to it that can best be described as more "pop" sounding than the first release but still excellent in terms of musical quality. Songs like "The Heat Goes On" and "Open Your Eyes" really shine. That's not to say the other songs are of lesser musical excellence. I can't say there is a bad song on the "Alpha" material either. The compilation also features the songs of "Astra",their third release, and it is here that the sound of Asia changes somewhat largely in part to the addition of Mandy Meyer on lead guitarist rather than Steve Howe. The material is definitely Asia as you can tell from the songs "Go" and "Voice of America." Great stuff but with a slightly different edge to them.

In conclusion, I would like to reiterate my first thought. Go out and buy this 2 CD set. You will not regret it! All the founding members of Asia really did form a "supergroup" as they were called at the time.Their combined talents really lead to some of the best music to come out of any decade.

Great stuff, in the progressive rock n' pop sense...

John Wetton and Carl Palmer are personal favorites...

Wetton has one of the best voices in rock EVER...

"Ride Easy" was a B-sider, but i think it was one of Asia's best...

"Anthologia" sounds better each day, with all the garbage spewin'

over the airwaves today...

Asia was one of my favorite bands when they first came out in 1982. I was 13 and thought their songs and cover art of "Asia" was the coolest! I bought "Alpha" when it came out, but by the time of "Astra" I had lost interest. This compilation proves that I should have definitely bought "Astra"! This 2-CD set covers all their albums and b-sides (digitally remastered).

I had bought "The Very Best Of...." but when this came out, I quickly gave the single disc of "Best Of.." to my brother and purchased this 2 disc set. At least you don't have to worry about another greatest hits coming out in the future and having to get rid of this one!

Asia's songs are sweeping, and though some might call them over-produced, I would disagree. The melodies, vocals, and instruments are layered which gives the songs a grand, epic sound. More artists should come out with anthologies like this!

This set has poor sound quality. There is a major drop out in the middle of Track 9 on Disc 1. I can't believe how that could be overlooked. The 2-Disc

collection is the exact number of songs in the exact order and the remastering is superb.