Album Review

Azapro Nineoneone [allmusic.com]

In a mistake that Yes would also make a few years later on Big Generator, Asia concentrated so hard on trying to retain the commercial hit audience earned from their monster debut album that they began to rely too heavily on a pop formula and abandoned many of the progressive traits that had made Asia (the LP) such a durable listen for a variety of rock fans.

'Don't Cry' was a catchy and memorable first single but it's primarily what Alpha is now remembered for, it's like having 'Heat of the Moment' but with no 'Only Time Will Tell' or 'Sole Survivor' to back it up.

Releasing the album just over a year after their multi-platinum masterwork probably didn't help a group of musicians who, although clearly very talented, had only just begun to get acquainted with the idea of churning out hit singles; waiting until the summer of '84 may have benefited them. Another likely hindrance in retrospect was lead singer and perhaps even more importantly head writer John Wetton's increased reliance on alcohol, which would ultimately lead to his ejection from the band ahead of a much-publicised and anticipated stadium tour in Japan.