- Audio CD (29 Sep 2008)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: Extra tracks
- Label: INSIDE OUT
- ASIN: B001F0PR52
- Other Editions: Audio CD | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 98,576 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product details |
Track Listings
| 1. Oh My God |
| 2. Ghosts |
| 3. Playground |
| 4. Memory Of Water |
| 5. The Tall Ships |
| 6. The Wind That Shakes The Barley |
| 7. Great Disasters |
| 8. Fahrenheit |
| 9. For Safekeeping |
| 10. Lights |
| 11. This Is England |
| 12. When I Fall BONUS TRACK |
Product Description
Album Description
"The Tall Ships" is the first studio album in 20 years and proves, that the band is still able to set the standard in their field of musical genres, which combines elements of Melodic Rock, Pop Music and the creative art of Progressive Rock.
About the Artist
British based band "It Bites" had big success in Europe and Japan back in the 1980's with their highly critically acclaimed albums "Once Around The World" and "Eat Me In St. Louis".
After the departure of lead singer and guitarist Francis Dunnery, the band was going through a period of self re-defining and when, in 2006, new singer John Mitchell (Frost, Arena, Kino) joined all of a sudden "It Bites" were back in the spotlight.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
When It Bites broke up back in 1990, their hardcore fanbase were devastated, especially since they appeared to be on the brink of breaking through to the big time. Their clever mixture of instantly accessible music with superb musicianship and arrangements made them unique, especially in the drum-machine-obsessed 80's.
Fast forward to the 21st Century. Francis Dunnery now lives in the US, making attempts at a reunion very difficult. They tried, but it simply didn't work out. Enter John Mitchell, guitarist/vocalist with Arena, The Urbane, and Kino, which also featured the It Bites keyboard player, John Beck. One thing led to another, and John is now the front-man for the band, having proved himself more than worthy of the position during a short tour back in 2006.
And so, 19 years after their last album, we have The Tall Ships - and it is better than anyone had any right to expect. There is not one 'filler' track on the album, all of them justify their existence. They have produced an album which is recognisably It Bites, and yet doesn't slavishly copy the past. We still have the instant hooks ('Lights', 'Great Disasters'), the great musicianship ('Wind that shakes the Barley', 'This is England' - OK, let's be honest - all of them!), the quirkiness (vocal lines on 'Oh My God' & 'Great Disasters'), even a (nearly) straightforward rocker ('Ghosts'). Yet it all feels fresh - they are obviously fired up creatively, and the renewed enthusiasm comes across really well.
If you have any interest in It Bites whatsoever, you owe it to yourself to get this album - you will not be disappointed. If you've never heard of them before, this is as good a starting point as any, though all of their studio albums are excellent in their own way. And if you are thinking of NOT getting this album simply because Francis Dunnery isn't on it, then I suggest you may also want to cut your nose off to spite your face, at the same time!
Fast forward to the 21st Century. Francis Dunnery now lives in the US, making attempts at a reunion very difficult. They tried, but it simply didn't work out. Enter John Mitchell, guitarist/vocalist with Arena, The Urbane, and Kino, which also featured the It Bites keyboard player, John Beck. One thing led to another, and John is now the front-man for the band, having proved himself more than worthy of the position during a short tour back in 2006.
And so, 19 years after their last album, we have The Tall Ships - and it is better than anyone had any right to expect. There is not one 'filler' track on the album, all of them justify their existence. They have produced an album which is recognisably It Bites, and yet doesn't slavishly copy the past. We still have the instant hooks ('Lights', 'Great Disasters'), the great musicianship ('Wind that shakes the Barley', 'This is England' - OK, let's be honest - all of them!), the quirkiness (vocal lines on 'Oh My God' & 'Great Disasters'), even a (nearly) straightforward rocker ('Ghosts'). Yet it all feels fresh - they are obviously fired up creatively, and the renewed enthusiasm comes across really well.
If you have any interest in It Bites whatsoever, you owe it to yourself to get this album - you will not be disappointed. If you've never heard of them before, this is as good a starting point as any, though all of their studio albums are excellent in their own way. And if you are thinking of NOT getting this album simply because Francis Dunnery isn't on it, then I suggest you may also want to cut your nose off to spite your face, at the same time!
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is one of those albums that is so good.......its actually scary. Why scary? Well because you know the day will come when you won't listen to it anymore and at the moment I am listening to it 2-3 times a day. Honestly. Its like a drug only probably more addictive.
I am writing this while listening to track 6 (The Wind That shakes The Barley) and the chorus creates goosebumps.
Its so hard to be objective, but in impact terms, this album probably has had as much impact on me as the first Frost album (Milliontown).
OK, step back to reality and make some comments that people can put some perspective around rather than blubbering like an imbecile.
Let me say, first of all I am not one of those ageing It Bites fans but rather a massive John Mitchell fan (Arena, Kino) not just for his fantastic guitar playing (and there is lots on offer here) but for his stunning singing.
What has been constructed here is a perfect mix between prog and pop (think in terms of yes 90125 and you will be getting close in terms of impact), incredible hooks and just fantastic songs and a really modern feel. There is not one single poor song on this album.....you will not want it to end.
I am totally blown away.
I am writing this while listening to track 6 (The Wind That shakes The Barley) and the chorus creates goosebumps.
Its so hard to be objective, but in impact terms, this album probably has had as much impact on me as the first Frost album (Milliontown).
OK, step back to reality and make some comments that people can put some perspective around rather than blubbering like an imbecile.
Let me say, first of all I am not one of those ageing It Bites fans but rather a massive John Mitchell fan (Arena, Kino) not just for his fantastic guitar playing (and there is lots on offer here) but for his stunning singing.
What has been constructed here is a perfect mix between prog and pop (think in terms of yes 90125 and you will be getting close in terms of impact), incredible hooks and just fantastic songs and a really modern feel. There is not one single poor song on this album.....you will not want it to end.
I am totally blown away.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This album is an absolute treat from start to finish. From the excellent reviews above it has obviously exceeded all expectations and delivers on every level. Songwriting is superb with provoking lyrics and musically the band has lost nothing of it's ability to write instantly catchy choruses and melodies. There are hints here and there of the old It Bites trademarks and the odd (short) musical reference to Genesis and other groups, but it's all done with style, humour and a sound that is totally timeless.
No point comparing Mitchell to Dunnery (both geniuses)just sit back and enjoy what is easily one of the releases of 2008. John Beck perhaps uses slightly more organ than before but this gives a massive lift when used as the signature for intros and choruses. Dalton is one of the most "musical" of drummers and chips in with excellent harmonies for good measure. John Mitchell's guitar work is top notch and his vocals sound better than ever (How does he manage to fit in so well into so many groups?)
There are at least half a dozen tracks from this that would make any Best of It Bites compilation, and "Ghosts", "The Wind that shakes the Barley", and "Great Disasters" are simply 3 of the best songs recorded in 2008. In this time of recession it's optimistic and colourful music-making like this that we need to keep our spirits up. Welcome back boys, hope you'll stay a little longer this time !
No point comparing Mitchell to Dunnery (both geniuses)just sit back and enjoy what is easily one of the releases of 2008. John Beck perhaps uses slightly more organ than before but this gives a massive lift when used as the signature for intros and choruses. Dalton is one of the most "musical" of drummers and chips in with excellent harmonies for good measure. John Mitchell's guitar work is top notch and his vocals sound better than ever (How does he manage to fit in so well into so many groups?)
There are at least half a dozen tracks from this that would make any Best of It Bites compilation, and "Ghosts", "The Wind that shakes the Barley", and "Great Disasters" are simply 3 of the best songs recorded in 2008. In this time of recession it's optimistic and colourful music-making like this that we need to keep our spirits up. Welcome back boys, hope you'll stay a little longer this time !
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Thundering Typhoons!!!
This is very, very good. I hadn't heard any It Bites albums until I read various articles about the band in Classic Rock Presents Prog magazine. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Stotty
PopProg? ProgPop? Not sure where I would place this but pretty good!
I recently bought a Steve Hackett album that came with a free download of 10 "Prog Rock" tracks. One such track was IT Bites - The Tall Ships. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Briser
Great Album - It Bites
Found an old it bites album in my CD collection, so thought I would have a look around and see if they had anything new...I found this and downloaded it. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Stonedeusx
Undiscovered Gem
Wow - I discovered this quite by accident. One listen and I was hooked. I heard it called 'Prog/Pop' which is a label I've not come across before. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Mr. A. J. Colgan
Outstanding
Back in the eighties, after hearing Calling All The Heroes, I bought their first album and was immediately hooked. Great melodies, musicianship, harmonies, consistency. Read more
Published on 27 Nov 2009 by Nisty
Probably the most distinctive band on the planet
Most bands are really only positively identifed by the sound of the lead vocal - ie:- change the vocalist and you can't say for certain who's performing. Read more
Published on 3 Sep 2009 by Garry Davidson
Exceptional
Well I never - Having enjoyed It Bites all those years ago I recently stumbled upon this gem of a cd... and haven't stopped playing it for the last 3 months. Read more
Published on 1 Aug 2009 by P. Kay
I never thought I would....
.....like this album cos I really liked Francis Dunnery`s vocals, but blow me was I sooooo wrong. The fact that Mr Mitchell is blessed with a voice that sounds so like Peter... Read more
Published on 23 July 2009 by David S. Haazen
Cracking album...
This is tremendous. Although the writing credits in all the previous albums were 'It Bites' I always thought the genius behind it all was Francis Dunnery. Read more
Published on 6 July 2009 by Neil in Marldon
Bitten Again
As a big fan of It Bites I was dubious about a reformed band without FD.
I listened expecting to hear "It Nibbles", but no ,this is full weight It Bites. Read more
I listened expecting to hear "It Nibbles", but no ,this is full weight It Bites. Read more
Published on 2 July 2009 by A. J. Talbot
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