Search - John Wetton & Geoff Downes :: Icon

Asia Redux? Not Quite.

Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 11/29/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As much as I enjoy the John Payne Asia albums, there's nothing quite like those early Wetton/Downes Asia collaborations. It goes beyond Wetton's unique voice or Downes's keyboard work. Something about this pair's collaborations always results in some truly memorable music.



Whenever these two musicians come together, you have to take notice. Icon is everything you'd expect from two of the four founders of Asia, but at the same time not what you'd expect. With Icon, Wetton and Downes leave behind much of the early Asia albums' pop sensibility in favor of a more progressive approach. It's not as catchy, but there is a more complex, more emotional feel to the music that brings to mind recent albums by Dare and Marillion. The fact that the pair is supported on this album by members of modern progressive rock bands like Jadis and Kino adds to this overall feeling. There are still moments that sound like vintage Asia, but Icon is definitely not a case of "business as usual".



It goes without saying that Icon will please long time Asia fans, but it's far more than just a throwback album. Icon is a remarkably strong album that most fans of modern progressive rock (as well as AOR and melodic rock) are almost certain to enjoy.



Their work on Icon appears to be a factor behind the recent reformation of the original Asia lineup earlier this year. I'm not exactly happy about the unceremonious dumping of John Payne (whose fine debut with GPS picks up right where Asia's Silent Nation left off), but at the same time I have to wonder what the classic lineup has in store.



PS - Am I the only one who thinks the verses to "I Stand Alone" sound uncannily similar to Ozzy Osbourne's "I Just Want You"? I won't tell Sharon if you won't!



NOTE: The 2006 reissue of Icon features two bonus tracks - new versions of the Asia staples "the Smile Has Left Your Eyes" and "Heat of the Moment". They're neat to hear, but with countless recordings of these songs on the market, there's no real reason to run out and replace your 2005 version of Icon."

Pictures to Paint

PHILIP S WOLF | SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. USA | 08/15/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After the Band: Asia, blasted upon the music scene in the early 1980's, punksters sneered, hair bands had to go get a rinse and tripsters...well, tripsters still tripped like always. Asia, merged progressive sensabilities with pop songs with clever hooks. This combination meant Asia would reap $$$ and lot's of $$$. And how could any rock fan resist rock songs played by rocks greatest players, {Howe, Palmer, Wetton & Downes}. Well, we couldn't resist, and the album: "Asia" sold in the millions, and progressive rock WAS given new life to thrive in the 1980's because of that album.



Fast forward to the year 2005 and the regrouping of Geoffrey Downes {Keyboards} and John Wetton {Voice & Bass Guitars} to become: "ICON".

Here on this CD we are not a part of 2005 anymore as Geoff & John set us down right in 1983 again. These are Asia songs performed as Asia would have performed them 2 & 1/2 decades ago, and THIS isn't a bad place to be at all.



With an overture, {when you start your record with an "Overture" things are indeed serious} that bleeds right into: "Let Me Go". Icon has thrown the opening one, two punch of pretty orchestrations and catchy pop music all blended together with perfect playing that sounds a bit like some music you have heard before. Supporting players such as Hugh McDowell {ELO} and Ian McDonald {King Crimson} and color and shades of light to this music, and their touches are light and never crowd what Wetton & Downes are doing in the forefront. While Steve Howe the guitarist of Asia would be all over the place during the course of most Asia tunes, the player featured here, John Mitchell shows more restraint and is more towards the background and not stealing the spotlight from the frontmen.



The music of Icon, is about what you would expect. These are well-crafted and carefully thought out Pop Songs with Powerful Playing from these masters of this form. John Wetton has the Voice of a Progressive Angel, and while Greg Lake's voice of late has sounded as if he has been eating Razor Blades {a 4 pack a day habit, destroyed his Vocal Chords}, John, does sound as Wonderful as he ever did. Geoff was never a big Show-Off in his keyboard playing, as his role has been more of orchestrating this Music, and here on: Icon, he is perfect in his part.



"Let Me Go" could be the Stand-Out Track here, but it has lot's of company for Best Song Status. "God Walks With Us", "Hey Josephine","Meet Me At Midnight","Please Change Your Mind" & "In The End" {featuring the singing of Annie Haslam, dueting with John} are all very good songs as well.



In closing, if you are a Fan of the Classic sound of Asia, this CD will be good for you. Icon, is not as heavy as early Asia, because the Guitar is not in you face here like the aggressive way Steve would use it. These Songs are mostly Ballads, they are pretty and romantic, there is rock here, but you are gonna have to list closely to hear it. John Wetton and Geoff Downes are indeed a little older now, but I think they have matured just fine. If you like Asia, you will enjoy Icon.

Four Stars !!!"

Underated

M. Nathan | new york | 04/25/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"great cd i really like it recomended for any asia fan my favorite tracks are in the end and let me go excluding bonus tracks smile has left your eyes / heat of the moment 05 i think i prefer heat of the moment 05 to the original it gives it new life , i am guaranteed to buy icon 2 and 3"