SELLING ENGLAND BY THE POUND

Selling England By The Pound was the first prog album I ever purchased shortly after its release having heard Firth Of Fifth on a radio prog rock show. I was so taken by the beautiful piano introduction and the structure of the song that I bought the album on the strength of that track alone. Of course when I listened to the full album I realised that there were two further tracks of similar exceptional quality, The Cinema Show and Dancing With The Moonlit Knight. Much to my surprise, the curiously named track I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) then appeared in the UK popular music charts. The tracks More Fool Me, After The Ordeal and Aisle Of Plenty provide beautiful melodic interludes between these tracks. In fact Aisle of Plenty follows The Cinema Show so closely and cleverly that it seems like the conclusion to the song and when I hear it by itself it doesn't sound quite right. That leaves the longest track at over eleven minutes, The Battle Of Epping Forest. This is an enjoyable romp through a battle sequence with clever lyrics but has always seemed to me to be the weakest song on the album. Weakest only because of the strength of the remainder of the album ? it is still a fine prog song. I have listened to so many albums since 1973 but I still listen to this album on a frequent and regular basis as if I shall never tire of it. This is a wonderful album and I have come to the conclusion recently that it is my favourite prog album of all time. Definitely five stars - a classic album.