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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"...
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