Search - Wetton/Downes :: Icon

Just warming up!

Roberto Crocitti | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | 03/10/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Beatles had Lennon and McCartney, Asia had Wetton and Downes. The supergroup of the 80s had its success because of all four original members (Downes, Steve Howe, Carl Palmer, Wetton) being virtuoso musicians along with the prolific song-writing of Wetton & Downes.



Even though the past fifteen years saw Geoffrey Downes as Asia's sole original member all four gents have kept working together on various projects, with Geoff having recently co-written and played on three songs on John Wetton's Rock Of Faith.



ICON picks up where two musicians and friends left off in the early 90s, writing great tunes and lyrics that evoke old emotions (as music should do). Although all the songs are an easy listen and worth your money, the three that stand out are Let Me Go, God Walks With Us, and I Stand Alone.



The thing that gets me excited with ICON is that this is just a taste, just a warm up of what seemingly is to come, given that all four original Asia members have agreed to reunite for the band's 25th anniversary.



You know that THE HEAT GOES ON!..."

Hope they are back

Morgan Adams | Texas | 07/22/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I think ASIA was one of the great rock bands of all time. They are easy to criticize but what is there not to like? Great lyrics, great music, great singing.... ASIA pre-Payne is still my most enjoyable music off the shelf. I have continued to follow Wetton on his solo journey. I miss having a strong CD from beginning to end and was hoping ICON would be it. It is not but it is a start. The songs and lyrics are thoughtful and well produced but I also wanted them to let go a bit and have some fun. There are some tracks here that are some of their best but overall it doesn't stand up to their original '90s CDs as ASIA. This is just a teaser though. I want another CD from these two ICONs of rock!"