Alpha (1983)
1. Don't Cry
2. The Smile Has Left Your Eyes
3. Never In a Million Years
4. My Own Time (I'll Do What I Want)
5. The Heat Goes On
6. Eye to Eye
7. True Colors
8. The Last To Know
9. Midnight Sun
10.Open Your Eyes
Asia’s sophomore album Alpha, released in the wake of their explosive debut, arrived under the weight of heightened expectations and early internal tension. While their 1982 self-titled release had surprised many with its commercial success, the follow-up was met with significantly more skepticism—particularly from critics, who were almost unanimous in their disdain. Even among fans, the enthusiasm had cooled: the reception ranged from tepid approval to outright disappointment. Despite this, Alpha is far from a failure. It remains, in retrospect, a surprisingly rewarding listen, albeit one that lacks some of the dynamism and ambition of its predecessor.
At the heart of the album's shift lies a creative divergence between principal members: vocalist/bassist John Wetton and guitarist Steve Howe. The tension reportedly stemmed from Wetton’s push for commercial accessibility in contrast to Howe’s progressive instincts. The results suggest Wetton's vision prevailed. Howe’s songwriting presence is conspicuously absent, and all tracks are instead penned by Wetton and keyboardist Geoff Downes. The musical result is a streamlined affair—less experimental, more pop-oriented—marking a distinct pivot from the band’s original blend of prog rock and arena hooks.
Still, there are moments that shine. The opening track, Don’t Cry, is a pristine slice of ‘80s radio rock and arguably the album’s signature number. The Heat Goes On, closing side one, delivers high energy with an almost anthemic flair and remains one of the few tracks from Alpha to persist in the band’s live setlists decades later. Meanwhile, Never in a Million Years, Midnight Sun, and The Last to Know stand out as solid, if unheralded, pop compositions. The closing track, Open Your Eyes, leans closest to what might be considered "classic" Asia—both in tone and structure—and deserves more recognition than it receives.
Despite its commercial intentions, Alpha didn’t capture the zeitgeist the way the debut did. Though it charted respectably and received moderate airplay, it failed to match its predecessor's impact. Ironically, the album’s attempt to become more mainstream may have diluted the unique qualities that initially drew listeners in.
Behind the scenes, instability was growing. Shortly after Alpha's release, Asia played MTV’s first-ever concert special—but with a twist: Wetton had exited and was briefly replaced by Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Wetton would return, but not before Howe departed, beginning a revolving-door lineup that plagued the band for years. Downes, for his part, would become the only consistent presence across all Asia albums—his songwriting playing a key role in shaping their melodic identity.
Production duties were once again handled by Mike Stone, whose polish gives Alpha a cohesive sheen. While the music remains lush and bombastic, the tight song structures prevent the album from meandering. The melodic strength—especially evident in Downes’ contributions—remains a highlight, even if the progressive complexity has been pared back.
In sum, Alpha is a transitional record. It marks the end of Asia’s brief tenure as a true supergroup in both popularity and lineup stability. While the critics were never kind—and likely never would be—the album nonetheless captures a unique moment in early ‘80s rock, when ambition and accessibility collided. For fans of melodic rock with a touch of grandeur, Alpha still offers more than a few treasures to uncover.
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