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Rating:
Do you like the '80s new progressive rock, the kind represented by bands like Marillion, Pendragon, and Pallas? ...Then you might want to try and get your hands on this wonderful work produced in 1988 by a band that undeservedly remains little known.
A bit of history: It Bites, born in London in 1982, made their debut 4 years later with the decent "The Big Lad In The Windmill," which also featured the hit single "Calling All The Heroes." But it is precisely with their second effort "Once around the world," probably their most successful, that the music becomes more elaborate and engaging.
Their offering is a sunny, modern, and rhythmic progressive rock, dominated by the solo work of Francis Dunnery (singer and excellent guitarist), which at times shifts towards pop (as in "Midnight"), or hard rock (the acrobatic "Rose Marie"). "Kiss Like Judas" is the brilliant and catchy lead single (some may recall its video set in a gothic church), "Yellow Christian" one of the most precious gems of this album. Naturally, a respectable prog-band cannot avoid attempting a mini-suite: in this case, it’s the 15-minute title track, characterized by various atmospheric changes and Dunnery's virtuosity.
Ultimately, an album to rediscover and a band forgotten too quickly. Rating: 3.5
For the record, after releasing a third album with harder sounds and a farewell live album, they disbanded in 1990 after Dunnery left to pursue a solo career. Recently reformed with a different guitarist (from Arena), they seem to be on the verge of releasing new work.
PS: If you don’t know them and they’ve piqued your interest, you can find many videos on YouTube, as well as a beautiful live version of "Yellow Christian"...
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Kiss Like Judas (04:09)
So glad you could make it
Bring the slaughter to the lamb
I may look like some animal
But I am who I am , a man and I love you
And I'm hoping you feel as I do
I cover my face in terrible shame
And Open my heart up to you
Look at my friends they're always laughing
Think they're doing alright
Maybe it's me they think they're fooling
It's a general insight
Who knows what you see
Maybe it's Lies, All lies
She gave me a kiss like judas
Crowning the clown on his merry-go-round
She gave me a kiss like Judas
Who wears the crown when your heads on the ground
So glad you could make it
Beast and Beauty way up high
Cold Pains of Sanctuary
It helps to make up my disguise
But water, She gave me water, so I gave her the use of my life
Is it the chip on my shoulder
Or the hunch on my back that's as sharp as a knife?
Look at my friends they're always laughing
Think they're doing alright
Maybe it's me they think they're fooling
It's a general insight
Who knows what you see
Maybe it's Lies, All lies
Water, Get it when you 're feeling low
Who told you that she gave me another
Water, Who told you that she gave me another
She gave me a kiss like judas
Crowning the clown on his merry-go-round
She gave me a kiss like Judas
Who wears the crown when your heads on the ground
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