(Hard Rock/Progressive Rock/Pomprock) Asia - Armed to the Teeth & Asia - 1980 & 1978 (1995), FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Asia (USA) - The American Asia
Review By: Richard Baldwyn

Before the guys from Yes formed the million selling band from the UK called Asia, there was already an American band of the same name in operation.. Read on..

ASIA - ASIA/ARMED TO THE TEETH (ASI 1978/ASI 1980)

Michael English: Lead and harmony vocals, bass guitar, percussion
Larry Galbraith: Lead and harmony vocals, rhythm and slide guitars, 12 string acoustic guitar, mandolin
Mike Coates: Lead rhythm, Leslie and Classical guitars, 6 and 12 string acoustic guitars, mandolin, piano, harpsichord, mellotron, background vocals
Doug Johnson: Drums and percussion (Armed to the teeth)
John Haynes: Drums and percussion (Asia)

We're not talking about the English version of this well-known band name. No, this version hails all the way from the unlikely breeding ground of Rapid City South Dakota. The origins of Asia (American version) can be traced back to the group Whitewing who disbanded in 1976. From these proverbial ashes, Asia rose.

By all accounts Whitewing had been the victims of a disastrous marketing ploy by record company ASI who tried to promote them as the next Moody Blues. The heavier reality came somewhat as a shock to the many booking agents and club owners at the time. This being the 1970's my theory is that the record company executives were under the influence of substances somewhat stronger than the odd joint. This can surely be the only rational explanation for such an interesting (for interesting read idiotic) decision!

Asia were formed, to quote band leader and creative driving force Mike Coates, "with the express intent of capitalizing on the successes of Whitewing and learning from their failures."

It's difficult for me to define the band's sound as they don't sound derivative of anyone in particular and I find myself grappling with the many superlatives that spring to mind. A crude analogy I guess would be progressive hard rock with symphonic tendencies. Indeed many of the songs on both albums are lengthy workouts characterised by fantastic lead and harmony vocals from singers Michael English and Larry Galbraith and a virtuoso performance on guitar from Mike Coates. To cap it all, the lyrics are both thought provoking and soul searching at the same time.

On the self titled debut, Asia create an indelible first impression with 'Love May Be Gone' with its twin hard driving guitars and excellent dual vocals from Michael English and Larry Galbraith. It also has an instrumental bridge sounding reminiscent of 'Detroit Rock City' by Kiss - but don't let that put you off (sorry Kiss fans!). Elsewhere you have the haunting, philosophical 'Better Man For Leaving' and the epic 'Taming of the Bull'.

'The Road of Kings' (their first single) is highlighted by it's unforgettable hookline, and one of the few occasions when a mandolin has been used by a hard rock band to great effect (the gauntlet is down for those of you who know of anything better!).

The debut closes with the decidedly caustic 'Requiem (A.M.Radio Blues)', which was supposed to be a broadside to the Disco/New wave movement. However, the line "all those grease paint guys in their nine inch highs" sounds suspiciously like a thinly veiled swipe at the stack heeled self-styled "Gods of Thunder" Kiss. Given that the band was supposed to have supported Kiss during this period, there must have been some interesting backstage conversations!

Trying to follow such an awesome debut album would have proved a difficult task in the hands of lesser mortals, though there were no such problems for Asia. In fact, 'Armed To The Teeth' picked up where the debut left off, and saw the band progress, if you'll pardon the weak pun, to even dizzier musical heights.

Opener 'Thunder rider' gallops along at an exhilarating pace swiftly followed by the melancholic 'Xanadu' - definitely not to be confused with the turgid Olivia Newton John effort (sorry ONJ fans if any of you are actually reading this!!).

'Paladin', the band's second single, is commercial AOR tinged pomp, with its unforgettable chorus proving that the band can mix it with the best of 'em. The magnum opus and live favourite 'Genghis Khan' is indicative of the band at their musical zenith. This bombastic hard rock contrasts nicely with the plaintive closer 'The Bard', even if it's Shakespearian narration at the end does come across as slightly portentous.

Things were looking decidedly rosy for the band. With 'Armed To The Teeth' as their crowning glory and the fact that 'Paladin' was starting to gain airplay on local radio stations the band were understandably in high spirits. Then fate dealt a cruel hand. Without prior warning NBC announced news of an English "supergroup" also called Asia formed by ex members of ELP, Yes and King Crimson. Radio stations promptly dropped our Asia's single like a hot potato and the band scrambled to meet with their lawyers to register their trademark application in the name of Asia.

Various communications with Brian Lane (ex-Yes manager) followed, and at one stage it is understood he tried to dupe the band into believing a Louisiana band already owned the rights to the name (this subsequently proved bogus).

Having originally demanded $100k to give up rights to the name Asia, the band were eventually forced to accept an offer substantially less than this together with a promise from Brian Lane that he would negotiate a major record deal on their behalf (Atlantic and Geffen were the targets). At last, it seemed that the band would finally get the break they so richly deserved.

However Brian Lane failed to deliver on his part of the bargain and despite numerous calls to his offices, no deal was forthcoming.

In a final twist to the story, the band were stunned to find out that their trademark application had been accepted and they had exclusive ownership of the name Asia.

Legal wrangles followed but it was a case of David versus Goliath. Sadly, in this case Goliath won as Mike Coates et al were no financial position to contest a costly international suit despite touring under the name Solomon Kane to raise funds for legal bills. By early 1983, the band had grown weary of the fight and decided to call it a day - a sad indictment against the music giants. I wonder if the UK Asia were ever aware of the consequences brought about by their choice of moniker.

Finally, I extend a very big thank you to Michael Piper's generosity in allowing me to experience Asia's musical legacy.

/barkingdogrecords.com/

Asia - Armed To The Teeth - Asia

Well it really has not been a long time since I discovered this band but I can for sure guarantee that this very specific record has became quite fast a piece of my life’s soundtrack, for sure it is on the list with my ten favorite records of all the time and this is not a matter of a moment’s enthusiasm or whatever simply because the album has been listened hundreds and hundreds of times and in every new listening I am getting deeper and deeper into the album with the same passion and enthusiasm like the first time. It has been AGES since I taste a similar feeling in music: A record to fill my soul with such beauty, strength and passion like when I was listening for the very first time my eternal favorites like Warlord or Crimson Glory. I remember that it was early spring when I first heard the album and believe it or not the general spring background covers me every time I listen to this ultimate musical jewel no matter if outside is mid winter or any other time period.

It is a fact that the band sounds even heavier in this album. Compared to the debut the production is different -yes heavier- with the guitars to be in the foreground and musically the band to walk in even more Hard Rocking paths keeping their brilliant, ultra melodic and technical style. In here Mr Mike Coates presents his perfect songwriting once again and the songs included in here are the best ones he have written comparing with the WhiteWing album and the Asia debut.

You need just a single listening of the opening track “Thunder Rider” to let it fill your ears, mind and soul and you will never forget it. Nothing more than a brilliant Epic and melodic anthem that sticks to your mind even for the first hearing. The song is of course the perfect choice to be an opening track. Listen to its basic voce melody, its unforgettable chorus, listen to the brilliant keyboard fillings and of course the excellent guitar work. In every listening you can grab the strength, the light and the passion that this song offers! Just like a real thunder!

The song “Xanadu” follows diving in a mysterious musical vortex: a mysterious, still adventurous song with a little melancholy spread around, vocals once again is the ultra big trademark in here and of course the main guitar melody. Just listen to the beautiful leads in the chorus: they are short but so characteristic! Things are soon getting wilder but still melodic and adventurous with the “Kamikaze” song filling the stereo speakers. I wish I could see the very specific song performed live. It is a fast, Epic and conquering hard anthem and it is a fact that the entire force of such a song is able to be presented only on stage. The musical trip to the world of Asia’s second album goes one and here I have to add that in this record you can listen one of the most emotional compositions of the band and I am of course referring to “Paladin” song: a little melancholic but on the same time Epic and with a special feeling spread around its brilliant melodies.

Lets refer to some other features of that masterpiece, first of all the rhythm section is much stronger in here thanks to Doug Johnson, who, at the time, was a very young drummer the band hired to replace John Haynes. So the rhythm lead guitar themes of Mike Coates found an ultra heavy meanwhile technical rhythm basis to be attached. It is this album the music of the band brings to my mind mostly the sound of the mighty Canadian gods Rush. No Asia are not copying Rush but their melodic meanwhile complex and technical music that manage to remain catchy and memorable brings into my mind the Canadian Masters. Of course we can still find some elements from 70s Hard Rock, Progressive Rock and even Pomp Rock in here but it is obvious and clear that the final result is crystal, clear and mainly Hard Rocking. So the record can be easily heard and admired by Heavy Metal fans as well, yes there are many times that the guitar heaviness touches the Heavy Metal background of the time doing it in a special and brilliant way.

Well I would for sure point that this record should be checked 100% by all the fans of good music no matter the style. If bands like Rush, Deep Purple, King Crimson and Uriah Heep mean something to you then you can try and mix all this into the your mind trying to approach the sound of Asia that also in here was something unique and yes again there is this adventurous feeling that makes the music of this record an ideal background for a movie. How knows maybe Mr Coates carried a special vision for his music that one day and in specific circumstances to be used on a visual project.

Review by: Countraven
/forgotten-scroll.net/

Michael English: Lead and harmony vocals, bass guitar, percussion
Larry Galbraith: Lead and harmony vocals, rhythm and slide guitars, 12 string acoustic guitar, mandolin
Mike Coates: Lead rhythm, Leslie and Classical guitars, 6 and 12 string acoustic guitars, mandolin, piano, harpsichord, mellotron, background vocals
Doug Johnson: Drums and percussion (Armed to the teeth)
John Haynes: Drums and percussion (Asia)