Alpha was the first cassette I ever bought with my own money (and, later, the first CD). It must have spoiled me, because some 20 years and roughly 300 CDs later, I still have never heard its equal, top-to-bottom. (In fact, only Asia's first album and Midnight Oil's Blue Sky Mining even come close).
One of the raps on early Asia was that they sounded too commercial, too much like other early/mid 80's bands. I've always found this incredible; I've never heard any other band that sounded like Asia. They bridge the gap from progressive to pop in a unique way, with rich instrumentation and accessible lyrics, intricate vocal harmonies and amazing, soaring music. This album, in particular, seems to perfectly balance the keyboard sorcery of Geoff Downes and the penetrating riffs from Steve Howe. Howe morphs from subtle, complex supporting lines to jaw-dropping "how can a guitar do that?" scalar ballet. Combined with John Wetton's clear vocals and Carl Palmer's precise drumming, the resulting combination produces panoramic-sounding songs that reach near perfection, to this listener's ears.
No weak songs here. I always felt like "Eye to Eye" was my least favorite, but the older I get, the more I appreciate it. Every song has something different to offer: "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes" is Wetton's vocal tour de force; "The Heat Goes On" showcases Palmer's versatile work with the sticks; "Midnight Sun" features incredible fingerwork from Howe (and a symphonic overlay); "Don't Cry", in addition to being the most pop-sounding track, is rich with Downes' layered keyboards; and "Open Your Eyes" brings it all together for a finale that leaves you gasping for more.
I always thought it tragic that Howe and Wetton couldn't iron out their issues. The later Asia albums contain good songs ("Too Late" from Astra and "Who Will Stop the Rain" from Aqua top that list), but the guitarists and/or vocalists never quite seemed to mesh as perfectly on-album as the original foursome did.
I said it before, I'll say it again: to my ears, this is the best album ever recorded. Period.
Review by Pete
TRACKLISTING:
1. Don't Cry
2. The Smile Has Left Your Eyes
3. Never In A Million Years
4. My Own Time (I'll Do What I Want)
5. The Heat Goes On
6. Eye To Eye
7. The Last To Know
8. True Colors
9. Midnight Sun
10. Open Your Eyes
