Asia – Alpha (1983) [Japanese Limited SHM-SACD 2014] {SACD ISO + FLAC 24bit/88,2kHz}

The eagerly awaited follow-up to the supergroup’s debut, Alpha landed with a resounding thud a year later. The album still managed to be a platinum-selling Top Ten hit, as did the leadoff single “Don’t Cry,” but where Asia managed to make old sounds fresh, Alpha fails miserably. Nothing on Alpha packs the sheer sonic force of the band’s debut. Instead, much of the record is lightweight both lyrically and musically, leaning heavier on keyboard-laden ballads like “The Smile Has Left Your Eyes,” which managed to scrape into the Top 40, and “My Own Time (I’ll Do What I Want).” The only real meat on the record comes during the last cut, “Open Your Eyes” (and only at the end of the song). Rumored creative differences, the album’s lukewarm reception, and flagging ticket sales for the ensuing tour led to lead singer John Wetton leaving the band before the year was out. Alpha is sorely disappointing, especially coming on the heels of a promising debut.

Tracklist:
01. Don’t Cry
02. The Smile Has Left Your Eyes
03. Never In A Million Years
04. My Own Time (I’ll Do What I Want)
05. The Heat Goes On
06. Eye To Eye
07. The Last To Know
08. True Colors
09. Midnight Sun
10. Open Your Eyes
11. Daylight
12. Lying To Yourself

SACD ISO

mqs.link_AsiaAlpha1983AudiFidelity2017SACDIS.part1.rar
mqs.link_AsiaAlpha1983AudiFidelity2017SACDIS.part2.rar

FLAC 24bit/88,2kHz

mqs.link_AsiaAlpha1983AudiFidelity2017FLAC2488.2.rar