Everything else Asia has released is just about the same formula: at least they're rigidly consistent. The keyboards make a return in their usual frantic form. If there was anything Asia actually had a saving grace for, it was the keyboard flare in every song, the electronic feel it took on. Only here, there's nothing they haven't done, and a great instrument is, once again, used in the least inventive way as possible. The lead guitar is uneventful and straightforward, and it needs more babysitting than a state senator outside the green zone. It sounds as if it hasn't been tuned in YEARS. The drums are bland, but they dominate over the guitar, one move this badly-produced LP made that would cost them.
And disappointingly, this is almost too MUCH Asia. A stinger of the album would be the songwriting, and even this fails miserably, which doesn't help the album in any ways. Sometimes it's far too melodramatic and dreads on too long (They storm the citadel / To fight the infidel / The Village Green's a bloody sty /
God, two kings and a Pope / Could be our only hope / 'St George!' will be our battle cry), or far too mainstream, a habit Asia really needs to take a break on. (Emily, I want you, but there's nothing I can do
Now I know, all you see, my invisibility) Although I prefer Wetton over John Payne, Wetton's vocals are at the most annoying of his career, almost as if he can't be bothered to perform the disaster that is Omega.
Compounding Omega's woes are its lack of new material. It's business as usual. There's the same love song every damn time (Emily, Don't Wanna Lose You Now), the same poorly-constructed war song (Holy War, End of the World), and the same strange-as-hell song (Drop a Stone, Finger on the Trigger). In fact, it's the first half of the album that performs better than the second half. End of the World probably drops the best instruments on the whole album, despite being a barely passable song. Through my Veins is below average for the album, continues the sound that made them famous in their debut and second release, with keyboards and high-pitched guitars, with little or none drum interaction. And yet, the lesser tracks are better as a whole.
It's still tough to stomach Omega, considering that Phoenix was a start, a chance for redemption and resurrection, even if it was just slightly above average. But considering how exhausting this album is to get through, only a patient music lover would barely make it through the second half, IF you're lucky. And considering that this album bites off more than it can chew, the menial vocals will dull the experience even more, if it was even possible. But, hey! At least we have their next album to look forward to. Eh"
Tracklist for Omega:
1. Finger on the Trigger
2. Through My Veins
3. Holy War
4. Ever Yours
5. Listen Children
6. End of the World
7. Light the Way
8. Emily
9. Still the Same
10. There Was a Time
11. I Believe
12. Don't Wanna Lose You Now
And disappointingly, this is almost too MUCH Asia. A stinger of the album would be the songwriting, and even this fails miserably, which doesn't help the album in any ways. Sometimes it's far too melodramatic and dreads on too long (They storm the citadel / To fight the infidel / The Village Green's a bloody sty /
God, two kings and a Pope / Could be our only hope / 'St George!' will be our battle cry), or far too mainstream, a habit Asia really needs to take a break on. (Emily, I want you, but there's nothing I can do
Now I know, all you see, my invisibility) Although I prefer Wetton over John Payne, Wetton's vocals are at the most annoying of his career, almost as if he can't be bothered to perform the disaster that is Omega.
Compounding Omega's woes are its lack of new material. It's business as usual. There's the same love song every damn time (Emily, Don't Wanna Lose You Now), the same poorly-constructed war song (Holy War, End of the World), and the same strange-as-hell song (Drop a Stone, Finger on the Trigger). In fact, it's the first half of the album that performs better than the second half. End of the World probably drops the best instruments on the whole album, despite being a barely passable song. Through my Veins is below average for the album, continues the sound that made them famous in their debut and second release, with keyboards and high-pitched guitars, with little or none drum interaction. And yet, the lesser tracks are better as a whole.
It's still tough to stomach Omega, considering that Phoenix was a start, a chance for redemption and resurrection, even if it was just slightly above average. But considering how exhausting this album is to get through, only a patient music lover would barely make it through the second half, IF you're lucky. And considering that this album bites off more than it can chew, the menial vocals will dull the experience even more, if it was even possible. But, hey! At least we have their next album to look forward to. Eh"
Tracklist for Omega:
1. Finger on the Trigger
2. Through My Veins
3. Holy War
4. Ever Yours
5. Listen Children
6. End of the World
7. Light the Way
8. Emily
9. Still the Same
10. There Was a Time
11. I Believe
12. Don't Wanna Lose You Now
Last edited: