Asia versus Boston!

[Foxhound]

An arena rock band that hadn't really put down roots versus an arena rock band that had found its place! Which do you like better? Why?


Asia








Boston

[dwill123]

Boston. Never really got into Asia.

[D5]

I see my Marianne walking away...

[dr wu]

Neither to be honest.....but I'm a fan of Wetton( base and vocals in Asia) since he was in Crimson for a while ...so voted Asia.

[Darth Pazuzu]

I had to vote for Boston. Now, don't misunderstand me. I thoroughly respect Asia a great deal, and they've certainly had great musicians within their ranks since its inception. However, most of the people who have been in Asia's ranks - in particular the original lineup - have done far greater work in bands like Yes, King Crimson and ELP. By comparison, the more straightforwardly commercial AOR bent of Asia can seem a trifle underwhelming. On the other hand, Boston's much more of a thoroughbred in terms of straight-ahead FM pop/rock, and is more of a natural when it comes to those soaring commercial anthems. Also, there's just simply the fact that I like Boston's songwriting more than Asia's.

My personal favorites by each:

[Foxhound]

Originally Posted by Darth Pazuzu

By comparison, the more straightforwardly commercial AOR bent of Asia can seem a trifle underwhelming.

What's AOR?

[Darth Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by Foxhound

What's AOR?

AOR refers to the corporate radio format of Album-Oriented Rock (or, alternatively, Adult-Oriented Rock). It's generally used with regard to the smoother, more "commercial" side of classic rock, referring to the smoother sounds of either Fleetwood Mac and the Eagles or the so-called "corporate" rock of Journey, Foreigner, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Boston, etc. It's often used in a pejorative, negative sort of way to describe music that's supposedly more geared toward commercial success than originality, creativity or artistic integrity. And that is quite often a rather harsh and unfair indictment, in my opinion. I mean, it's certainly not a crime against art to favor accessibility over abrasion - as long as one has a good, healthy sense of variety! (Another more jokey and humorous way interpretation of the AOR acronym would be Always On The Radio.)

Funny thing is, the AOR format was actually spawned out of the progressive and "freeform" scenes which were less corporate and more independent. In the case of Asia, that particular band features band members who were key players in the progressive rock scene, but they just opted for a more streamlined, straightforwardly melodic approach (with occasional nods to their prog past with songs such as Time Again and Wildest Dreams).

Mind you, I'm certainly not judging Asia for "selling out" or anything like that! Which would be hypocritical of me because I truly like Journey, Boston and Foreigner. I just think that the members of Asia were not necessarily playing to their full strength, and the band doesn't necessarily represent the full scope of what they were always capable of. (Which is simply my opinion. The members of the band would probably argue otherwise, and they might have a point.)

Here's some more detailed information:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Album-oriented_rock

[Foxhound]

Originally Posted by Darth Pazuzu

AOR refers to the corporate radio format of Album-Oriented Rock....

Of course! I should have been able to work it out.