Search - It Bites :: Once Around the World

Bad timming

Nicole Emery | Brussels Belgium | 11/25/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In the 80's there wasn't much prog-rock to listen to.You either had to go back to the old Yes or Genesis albums or put up with Marillion.
But then came IT BITES.After a first pop-rock album-the big lad in the windwill-It bites released ONCE AROUND THE WORLD,their masterpiece.Some of the songs are still pop-rock "normal size" songs:Black December,Kiss Like Judas,...but then you've got some estonishing PROG tracks like Old man and the Angel, Once Around...,Haunting the whale,...
The lead singer-guitarist Francis Dunnery must be a Peter Gabriel fan, even if he uses his Gabriel-sound-like voice in a very different and not as obvious way as FISH.He's also a great guitarist, with very distinctive gimmicks and solos.The production of the album is way ahead of its time and miles away from the marillion's firsts albums.
It might seem like I'm comparing IT BITES with MARILLION but it's only really the prog approach and the fact that both bands are from the 80's.It Bites is much more modern and creative than Marillion, also much more ROCK (they will prove it on the next album Eat Me In St Louis and on their LIVE album).
I really believe that if IT BITES would have hold on for a couple more years, they would have been as popular as DREAM THEATER or SPOCK'S BEARD (even if they're not as technical as those two) and that their small success was only a question of bad timming.
IT BITES is really a great PROG BAND and this album should be a classic!"

Good pop/prog blend

NEOPROG RAN | EL PASO TX | 06/02/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Yes these guys are poppy but they also manage to infuse elements of prog and make their sound unique and interesting. This is a progressive band that should have got more recognition. This is what Genesis should have done in the 80s instead of the "Illegal Alien" garbage."

YOU ONLY WISH YOU HAD THIS MUCH TALENT!!!

Dina S. Russell | Keizer. OR | 05/15/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I suspect anyone who listens to all of their material (only 3+ studio efforts) won't like every song - but I guarantee THOSE peolple that have done so DO have some of the songs stuck in their heads for surprising long periods! Screaming on... and Underneath your... were 2 of many for me. DO NOT OVERLOOK their 15 min. opus "Once around..." Francis Dunnery is an excellent vocalist and guitarist with fantastic support and collaboration from the others. I COMMAND YOU TO INVESTIGATE THIS MUSIC!!!"