Another week and another eclectic collection of rock from teenage angst to some serious heavy metal with a bit of OTT AOR thrown in between. Keeps it interesting for me, at least, and I always appreciate it. Nothing too dire this week thankfully.

Asia: Phoenix

Odd the marketing for this one. In Europe we reviewers did not get complete tracks for review, which is bloody annoying, but US reviewers got the full tracks pre-release. Fortunately I got the Asia disc on both sides of the pond. This review would not be happening as I do not review partial tracks for any band. /rant over

Anyway onto the disc. This is the first time the original line-up have been together on CD for many a moon. There was an Asia kicking around all that time, but it's now back to original members. The results on this disc are mixed. It's not horrible but it's just a wee bit boring and at times borders on the maudlin; check out "Heroine" if you need proof. However as you would expect with the talent on here, the playing is excellent and the musicianship top rate. It would have been nice if the album had a bit more kick to it. There is some hope with "No Way Back," but overall this CD just does not excite one in the way their earlier material did.

Toto: Falling in Between Live

Never a big fan of live albums, I was worried this might have fallen into the self-indulgent variety. Thankfully the solos on here are tight and interesting, keeping you from desperately hitting the forward button. All the hits are played on here in all the pomp and glory that the quality that is Toto can muster. But it being Toto they all have a few twists; so its not the studio CD live. This is truly a celebration of Toto and their uber-talent. They even did their best to bring back the various singers that have been in their midst.

Recorded in Paris this is just what Toto fans are looking for. If you are a Toto fan then this is pretty much essential (also on DVD natch) and if you love incredibly well played hard rock then you can't go wrong with this lot. It's like a master class in writing catchy pop rock that still retains some cohones (at least live). My adoration of Toto has always been a bit of guilty pleasure, but when a band is this bloody good what is there not to like.