"An Extraordinary Life" by Asia

The 1980s was the decade for AOR, especially bands who liked to name themselves after continents. Asia had a good run back in the day, scoring a handful of hits including two that broke the top 10: "Heat of the Moment" (#4 in 1982) and "Don't Cry" (#10 in 1983). 

The band faded from the airways by 1990 and it might surprise some of you that they are still releasing records. Much to the delight of their fanbase, Asia has always stayed true to their prog rock roots, writing like it is still 1982.

In 2008, Asia released their 11th album,"Phoenix". The record is aptly named as it features the four original members who made the quadruple platinum debut record in 1982.

How badly were fans eager to hear the original line up of Asia? The record debuted at an impressive #73 on the Billboard Top 200. The band's last appearance on that chart was back in 1990 when their hybrid greatest hits/new songs release, "Then and Now", went to #114.

I'm not a huge fan of progressive music, but I love a nice slab of catchy melodic rock. The closing track on "Phoenix" fits the bill: "An Extraordinary Life" is an extraordinary song.