Thanks Ant, and thanks for taking the time to comment.
Thing is, Payne is still around isn't he, touring with "John Payne's Asia". But there must be some contractual guff that precludes him from recording under that name. Damn pity, as it could be a hell of an album!
I'm so pissed off with Wetton, and I lay the blame for XXX mostly at his doorstep. Downes is his usual excellent self, no real complaints there other than that he sort of takes over, Howe is there when he wants to be but conspicuous by his absence too many times, and Palmer is, well, Palmer. But Wetton is the focal point of the band, and it stands or falls on his personality and charisma, or lack of, and his own belief in these songs, which after all he helped write. So I don't think there's anywhere for him to hide.
Such a disappointment. Won't stop me buying the next one, if there is one, of course, but it's tough to see your gods have feet of clay in the end...
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