Sunday Afternoon Listening Cafe #12
Alpha by Asia
I have already talked about the final track on this album, Open Your Eyes but the entire album is brilliant. The second album by this supergroup1, it follows on the success of their self-titled album. I seem to have a knack of loving the albums the band dislike, as they hated the mix and felt this one was too rushed.
I love this album because I love sonic soundscapes and I love the lyrics. There’s so many fantastic riffs and beats that I’m happy every time I listen to it. There isn’t a song I dislike. Another cool fact about it was that part of it was recorded in Toronto, with the rest in Quebec.
Don’t Cry was added at the last minute as it was felt the album didn’t have a strong opener and it was the big single. That’s true. Part of why this album really works for me is how the songs flow into each other. It really is a coherent unit. The other single is the second track, The Smile Has Left Your Eyes. The Heat Goes On and True Colors2 were also picked up by various DJs and played.3 Midnight Sun is just so beautiful and of course, I’ve already talked about how much I love the final track.
A special track awaited for those who had the cassette, the song Daylight. I consider it a real gem and others agreed as it ended up being put on the greatest hits compilation.
It’s been called overproduced a lot, so if you’re finding you’re reacting to that, someone posted the demos for the songs. Enjoy this week’s café!
Musicians were John Wetton from King Crimson & Uriah Heep, Steve Howe from Yes, Geoff Downes from Yes & The Buggles, and Carl Palmer from Emerson, Lake & Palmer.
Why is it the American spelling? They’re all English!
Oh for the days that DJs could choose what they wanted to play.