Asia-Alpha (1983)

A year after their extraordinary debut, the supergroup Asia released their second full-length album, "Alpha". Composed almost entirely of shorter compositions, this album, unlike its predecessor which combined elements of progressive rock with appealing soft rock melodies, focuses on a more commercial and accessible sound, showcasing a melodic rock style very close to AOR. This would be the second album with the classic lineup of John Wetton (bass and vocals), Steve Howe (guitars and vocals), Geoff Downes (keyboards and vocals), and Carl Palmer (drums). Twenty-five years would pass before another album from this same lineup ("Phoenix" 2008). With a more corporate and commercial tone, the band faced an album that would be partly weighed down by the enormous success of their debut despite containing an interesting amalgam of excellent songs such as the catchy "Don't Cry", "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes", "The Heat Goes On", "Eye To Eye", "Midnight Sun" or "True Colors", while the only remnant of the sounds of the progressive past is found in the brilliant "Open Your Eyes".