| Phoenix | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 11 April 2008 | |||
| Recorded | September 2007 – February 2008 | |||
| Studio | Liscombe Park, Buckinghamshire | |||
| Genre | Progressive rock | |||
| Length | 65:01 | |||
| Label | Frontiers (Europe) Capitol (US) EMI (Canada) | |||
| Producer |
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| Asia chronology | ||||
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| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
Phoenix is the tenth studio album by British rock band Asia, released in 2008. It was the first studio recording with the original line-up after the reunion in 2006.
Phoenix was seen as somewhat polarizing. News and review site Vintagerock was positive towards the album, stating that the band had matured significantly over the years. "Superior musicianship and great songs never go out of style, and while it’s illogical to think Phoenix could ascend to the heights of the group’s debut from 1982, the record succeeds by remaining true to its purpose. If this release is a set up for things to come, then we could be seeing some more new and wondrous music from Asia." [2] Allmusic was also generally positive towards the album, with a 4/5 rating that compared it favorably to Asia's first two albums. On the other hand, Variety criticized it for that very same reason, going on to say that "What’s sorely missing this time out is the pop/rock catchiness of the aforementioned “Heat” and “Only Time Will Tell” which carried the band to unexpected success back in the day. An excess of syrupy Muzak-like ballads such as ”Heroine” and “I Will Remember You” and little actual rock only serve to remind that you not only can’t but really shouldn’t go home again." [3] Glide Magazine also panned the album. "Because Phoenix has practically no redeeming quality, it seems Asia’s debut is to be sadly relegated to something I like despite itself. Phoenix doesn’t even fare that well, because there is simply no pleasure, guilty or otherwise. I guess everything that rises from the ashes isn’t good." [4]
All tracks are written by John Wetton and Geoff Downes, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Never Again" | 4:55 | |
| 2. | "Nothing's Forever" | Wetton | 5:46 |
| 3. | "Heroine" | 4:54 | |
| 4. | "Sleeping Giant / No Way Back / Reprise" | 8:10 | |
| 5. | "Alibis" | Downes, Steve Howe, Carl Palmer, Wetton | 5:40 |
| 6. | "I Will Remember You" | 5:12 | |
| 7. | "Shadow of a Doubt" | 4:18 | |
| 8. | "Parallel Worlds / Vortex / Déyà" | 8:13 | |
| 9. | "Wish I'd Known All Along" | Howe | 4:07 |
| 10. | "Orchard of Mines" | Jeffrey Fayman, Daniel Pursey | 5:12 |
| 11. | "Over and Over" | Howe | 3:34 |
| 12. | "An Extraordinary Life" | 4:59 | |
| Total length: | 65:01 | ||
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 13. | "An Extraordinary Life" (acoustic remix) | 4:16 |
| Total length: | 69:17 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 13. | "I Will Remember You" (acoustic remix) | 5:14 |
| Total length: | 70:15 | |
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [5] | 58 |
| Japanese Albums (Oricon) [6] | 27 |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) [7] | 38 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [8] | 75 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC) [9] | 10 |
| US Billboard 200 [10] | 73 |
| Region | Date | Label | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 11 April 2008 | Frontiers |
|
| Canada | 15 April 2008 | EMI | CD |
| US | Capitol | ||
| Japan | 23 April 2008 | Melodious Frontier | Limited edition enhanced CD |
| Worldwide | 29 April 2016 | Asia Music | Special edition double CD |
Asia are an English rock supergroup formed in London in 1981. The most commercially successful line-up was its original, which consisted of four members of different progressive rock bands who had enjoyed great success in the 1970s: lead vocalist and bassist John Wetton, guitarist Steve Howe (Yes), keyboardist Geoff Downes and drummer Carl Palmer. Their debut album, Asia, released in 1982, remains their bestselling album and went to number one in several countries. Billboard listed it as the top album in the U.S. in 1982. The lead single from the album, "Heat of the Moment", remains their top charting and best-known song, reaching the top 40 in over a dozen markets. It peaked at #4 in the U.S. on the Billboard Hot 100 and hit #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.
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"Heat of the Moment" is the first single released by English progressive rock supergroup Asia from their 1982 eponymous debut album. It was written by singer and bass guitarist John Wetton and keyboardist Geoff Downes. It was named by Lee Zimmerman of Paste as Asia's signature song.
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| Related articles | |
