Search - Wetton/Downes :: Icon II: Rubicon

Wetton/Downes Renaissance continues

Warriorpoet | 06/12/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"With Icon II Rubicon the Wetton/Downes renaissance continues. "Die is Cast" and "Finger on the Trigger" both have a "Heat Goes On" up tempo feel to them. "Reflections" and "Tears of Joy" sound like something that they could have written for Wetton's "Rock of Faith" album. Shannon is played like an old limerick, not my favorite but I knew what they were going for with the song. Another noteworthy track I did like was "Whirlpool" with interesting transitions musically from the verses to the chorus.

Overall I think it is a stonger album than Icon I. Perhaps they were shaking the rust off of their writing skills on the first Icon album. Icon II feels more cohesive.

John Wetton and Geoffrey Downes are masters of what most people would call Progressive Rock. I would venture to call it Cathedral Rock. I don't mean it to be like gospel music, but just the sound mix, Wetton's harmonies, and Downes' keyboards remind me of some great Gothic Cathedral projecting great power and energy with the music literally shaking the walls of the place. They achieved that sound in the first 3 Asia albums and certainly Wetton's solo "Rock of Faith" and now again with Icon II.

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Even better than the first

capefearcinema | Harpers Ferry, WV | 05/08/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a long-time admirer of John Wetton's work (Uriah Heep, Asia, etc.), I was happy to see the Asia-like follow-on of Icon. While the original album had many high points (God Walks With Us, In the End), it was uneven in spots. Not so with Rubicon, which is consistently excellent throughout. The album is bookended with "The Die is Cast" and "Rubicon" (check your history books if you don't get the reference), with moments of sheer genius between. Can't wait for the next installment...I hope the upcoming Asia reunion won't spell the end of Icon."

Wetton and Downs prove once again that you can go home.

George Dionne | Cape Cod, MA | 01/23/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The former Asia cohorts team up once again for the sequel to their early 2005 release Icon (read CD review). The second time around isn't much different from the first. The spiritual theme is still intact. The vocal melodies are superb, especially with the addition of a female vocalist (uncredited) on a couple of tracks. The themes and moods range from upbeat to sorrowful to passionate. Of course most tracks are dominates by Downes' warm keyboard tones. Wetton and Downs prove once again that you can go home."