It Bites: the band that Virgin didn’t have a clue how to market. The main problem was that the first single that was released (Calling All The Heroes) was a smash hit nearly all over the world, but was not representative of the band’s music as a whole. They saw themselves as more of a progressive band, but the label wanted a pop band.
This was the 3rd and last album from the original line up, and was produced by one time Queen producer, Mack – it sounds fantastic. He captured exactly what the band was about. A bit late as inner band squabbles, drugs, general record company apathy, and most importantly, Francis leaving to go solo, would basically end this period of the band. Who knew a band as good as this would be hiding away in a small town in Cumbria? The main creative force and the main focus of the band’s arguments was frontman/guitarist Francis Dunnery, and keyboardist John Beck.
Positively Animal starts things off with a heavier sound than on previous efforts, and is a fantastic opener with a great vocal from Francis. Next up is Underneath Your Pillow, a trademark It Bites song – heavy on the melody and great vocal harmonies. One of my favourite It Bites tracks is next with Let Us All Go. A great riff, some great key changes, a superb melody and chorus, and killer harmonies. Next is the absolute monster, Still Too Young To Remember. The one track that screams Prog. A bonafide classic track which just builds and builds and is It Bites to the max. Side 1 closes with Murder of The Planet Earth – reminding us how bad we as humans treat the thing that keeps us alive.
Over to Side 2 we go and it starts with People Of America, which is a song that sounds as though it was recorded in ’89 with its pseudo electronic beginning. Sister Sarah is next and should have been a smash single – if only the record company cared about the band at this point. A great song with a rockin’ up tempo groove. Leaving Without You is the penultimate track and showcases the range and feel in Francis’ voice. Another really huge sounding song thanks again to the great production. Ice Melts Into Water closes the album out, and is a beautiful chill song with some great guitar and again with those harmonies.
The band still exists today and have released a couple of really good albums with John Mitchell replacing Francis. He does an admirable job, but Francis was such a strong character both sonically and visually within the band that maybe they should have changed the name. Anyhoo, a great album and would be a welcome addition to your collection.
9/10 from The Grooveman.
