Short Reviews [It - 2009 - "Departure"]

Being under the radar seems to be a fair description of this UK-based act with strong Canadian ties. The musicians issued their debut album in 1994, with two more productions following prior to their latest venture “Departure”, released earlier this year. And despite that, at least on the internet, it was difficult to find any info on this outfit at all. With this latest excursion, IT is bound to get more attention shown to them though. While the internet becoming a much more common information provider in the seven years since the band's previous effort was issued having a part to play there of course, the musical escapades on “Departure” should also contribute to getting a fair bit of good press. Mainstream-oriented art rock is what's dished out in these 11 tracks, with a few bells and whistles as well as structural rather than compositionally quirky features. Radical changes in style and sound are often used effects on this production while dissonances and disharmonies are kept at bay. Whether they're exploring typically hard rock-inspired passages or mellower pastoral-influenced themes It are skilled at creating music that should have a strong appeal also outside of the world of prog music. As references go, think Uriah Heep blended with the mainstream-oriented part of Pink Floyd's back catalog, with an updated sound.

OMB: September 1, 2009