ASIA - Astra Promo - Roger Dean Album Cover Artwork 12" VINYL LP ALBUM

Album Description: 

The album ASIA - ASTRA was released in 1985 by the British rock band Asia. The band had achieved significant commercial success with their first two albums, but faced some critical backlash for their pop-oriented sound. With ASTRA, Asia sought to return to their progressive rock roots while also incorporating new elements to keep their sound fresh. The album ultimately received mixed reviews, but remains a notable entry in Asia's discography.

ASTRA features a mix of progressive rock, hard rock, and pop influences. The album's opening track, "Go," is a fast-paced rocker with a prominent synthesizer riff and soaring vocals from lead singer John Wetton. The song's lyrics deal with themes of escape and freedom, with lines like "Leave behind the city's drone / Let the weather be your guide."

ASTRA received mixed reviews from critics upon its release. Some praised the album's return to a more progressive sound, while others criticized it for being too pop-oriented. AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that while ASTRA "has its moments," the album "suffers from a lack of focus and occasionally uninspired songwriting." Rolling Stone's David Fricke was more positive, writing that the album "plays like a sharply executed sampler of rock styles."

Despite the mixed reviews, ASTRA was a commercial success, reaching No. 67 on the Billboard 200 chart and spawning the hit singles "Go" and "Voice of America."

ASTRA remains a notable entry in Asia's discography, showcasing the band's ability to blend progressive and pop elements. The album's mix of hard rockers and ballads has influenced many bands in the years since its release.

In 2020, the surviving members of Asia - John Wetton, Geoff Downes, Steve Howe, and Carl Palmer - released a deluxe edition of ASTRA to commemorate the album's 35th anniversary. The reissue features a remastered version of the original album, as well as a bonus disc of live tracks and previously unreleased studio recordings.

Music Genre:

Collector's info: 

Album Production information:

Produced by Mike Stone and Geoff Downes

  Mike Stone (Full-name: Michael Richard Seth Stone, 1951-2002) an American record producer and engineer who has worked with a wide range of rock and metal bands. He was born on 21 December 1951, in New York City.

 Stone began his career as an engineer at Record Plant Studios in New York, where he worked on albums by artists such as KISS, Blue Öyster Cult, and Aerosmith. He later moved to Los Angeles and worked at Cherokee Studios, where he became known for his work with bands such as Queen, Van Halen, and Journey. He has produced all of Demon's records since 1981, many of Discharge's albums as well as producing several other bands.

  Stone is perhaps best known for his work with Queen on their albums "News of the World" and "The Game," which included hits such as "We Will Rock You," "We Are the Champions," and "Another One Bites the Dust." He also worked with Journey on their album "Escape," which included the hit singles "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Open Arms."

  In addition to his work as a producer and engineer, Stone has also served as a mixer, remixer, and mastering engineer on numerous albums. He has received several Grammy nominations for his work and has been recognized for his contributions to the field of audio engineering.

Album cover design by Roger Dean

  Roger Dean ( full-name: William Roger Dean ) Roger Dean an English artist and designer who is best known for his work creating album covers for numerous rock bands, including Yes, Uriah Heep, and Asia. He was born on 31 August 1944, in Ashford, Kent, England.

  Dean's distinctive style is characterized by his use of fantastical landscapes, surreal imagery, and vivid colors. His album covers often feature otherworldly creatures, floating islands, and intricate patterns. Dean's work has become synonymous with the progressive rock movement of the 1970s, and his iconic designs have become an integral part of the visual language of rock music.

  In addition to his album cover work, Dean has also designed stage sets, costumes, and logos for numerous bands. He has also created artwork for book covers, calendars, and video games.

  Dean's influence extends beyond the world of music, and his artwork has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world. In 2018, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Arts University Bournemouth in recognition of his contributions to the fields of art and design.

Record Label Information:

Record Format:

Year & Country 

Band Members and Musicians on: Asia Astra

Band-members, Musicians and Performers
• Geoff Downes - Keyboards (Yes, The Buggles)
• Mandy Meyer - Guitar
• Carl Palmer - Drums (Emerson Lake and Palmer)
• John Wetton - Vocals and Bass Guitars (King Crimson, UK, Uriah Heep, Family)

Track Listing of: Asia Astra

The Song/tracks on "Asia Astra" are

• Go 4:07
• Voice of America 4:27
• Hard On Me (Wetton/Downes/Palmer) 3:34
• Wishing 4:15
• Rock and Roll Dream 6:51
• Countdown to Zero 4:14
• Love Now Till Eternity 4:11
• Too Late (Wetton/Downes/Palmer) 4:12
• Suspicion 3:45
• After the War 5:11

Album cover photos of : Asia Astra

 Note: The images on this page are photos of the actual album. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone ).