ONCE AROUND THE WORLD

Probably my favorite prog-crossover act of all time, It Bites are one of those bands that I wished I had the opportunity to see when I was overseas in England back in the late 80's. They had a pompy Smiths/Van Halen hybrid approach to proggy songwriting that made them rather fun to listen to in a big stage setting, Kind of like cock rock that girls could swing with you to.

Anyway, Once Around The World is their 1988 sophomore release (produced by Steve Hillage of GONG fame) and arguably the best set of songs they'd ever write until John MItchell reformed them in the mid 2000's. Francis Dunnery in particular, whom I never had the pleasure of meeting personally, brings one hell of a vocal and guitar presence to all the songs present here. Tracks like 'Kiss Like Judas' and "Midnight' were clever subversions of 80's popular music whilst "Old Man and the Angel" was probably the best fusion of pop and proggy pretension the decade ever saw, and easily on par with any of Marillion's best material.

I know this band isn't the most popular here on the Archives, but as someone who recognizes a good original sound when I hear it, I think this band deserves more appreciation from prog. fans than they get. After all, who else sounds like It Bites? NOBODY!