MAP OF THE PAST

It Bites goes conceptual

Upon hearing the news that It Bites was releasing a concept album, I was naturally intrigued. Especially so as their previous album, The Tall Ships, the first album by the re-formed band, had been such a strong one. Map Of The Past was released earlier this year and I got it shortly after its release date. I gave it about one and a half listen at the time, concluding that it was rather disappointing. I let it rest for a while. Hearing it again now my impression is slightly more positive, but it is clear that it does fall far behind the excellent The Tall Ships.

While there is nothing bad as such about this album, it just fails to impress me. The songs are generally short and catchy, and the conceptual nature of the album does not manage to push it much beyond good quality, sophisticated Pop Rock music. It might be objected that this is what It Bites is all about. In a way it is, of course, but previous albums where musically somewhat more ambitious to my ears. There is no doubt that the current line-up consist of highly talented musicians, and they have written a decent set of tunes, but the end result is not an album that demands or even deserves many listens. It is an enjoyable listen while it lasts, but I have no desire to return to it and most probably won't.

There are some good moments, but nothing too special. It is not their worst album, but certainly not the best.

Good, but far from essential.

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Posted Wednesday, November 28, 2012 | Review this album | Report (Review #868155)

The remastered reissues of the two John Mitchell-led It Bites albums is a timely reminder of just how good these releases were when they came out in 2008 and 2012 respectively. Not that I needed reminding ? they are amongst my most played albums over the last decade or so. As a result, this musi ... (read more)

Report this review (#2581396) | Posted by Squonk19 | Monday, July 26, 2021 | Review Permanlink

It Bites went with the large concept on this release, it was a bit of a shock for me to see such a band release a concept album (and my I say that this album has a bite to it? Ok... fine). Anyways, the lack of an epic on this concept album will take away from this a bit. Thankfully this alb ... (read more)

Report this review (#2402855) | Posted by Zoltanxvamos | Sunday, May 17, 2020 | Review Permanlink

The second album from the reinvigorated It Bites is not as immediate as its predecessor, the brilliant Tall Ships, but repeated plays really show this as an album of rare brilliance. The haunting opening of Man in the Photograph segues into the punchy Wallflower with some keyboard acrobatics fro ... (read more)

Report this review (#801727) | Posted by devox | Wednesday, August 8, 2012 | Review Permanlink

Neo prog bands from the 80s. Some are still talked about even today. There definitely has been a resurgent among the nostalgic prog scene in the past few years. With bands like Twelfth Night, IQ and even the head of the neo prog movement, Marillion being stronger than ever, one of the oddest band ... (read more)

Report this review (#776706) | Posted by arcane-beautiful | Sunday, June 24, 2012 | Review Permanlink

This is a very interesting album. After being away for four years It Bites return with their follow- up concept album 'Map of the Past'. However, this sounds more like a follow-up to Kino's album 'Picture' than It Bites 'The Tall Ships'. Now, I know John Mitchell was a big part of Kino as well ... (read more)

Report this review (#708596) | Posted by Richens | Wednesday, April 4, 2012 | Review Permanlink

From a promo copy. Well i was expecting a new work from this experienced band....the New It Bites .. A continuing of their Tall Ships work. Tall Ships has a lot of "hits" like songs..very high moments. Tall Ships was a little more pop prog rock...with some repetitive chorus in most son ... (read more)

Report this review (#668055) | Posted by robbob | Monday, March 19, 2012 | Review Permanlink

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