SELLING ENGLAND BY THE POUND

Although I've never considered myself a cynical man (at least when it comes to music), giving an album with only three songs out of eight that I actually like at all anything higher than two stars would just be dishonest for me, something I can't do. Don't get me wrong, Selling England By the Pound isn't a really bad album by any means, it was just dull and uninteresting to me.

Like I said earlier, there are three standouts. The opening, Dancing With the Moonlit Night, is breathtaking and epic, and while it's not one of my favorite Genesis songs, it's still very enjoyable. Then there's Firth of Fifth, with an outstanding piano intro, and beautiful composition. Then there's The Cinema Show. It's gorgeous guitar work and comforting vocals caught my attention and I instantly fell in love with it. The only problem is, all three of these songs sound thirty times better live and seem more passionate as well.

Now, as for the rest of the songs. Frankly, I can't stand them. Go ahead and throw your tomatos and carrot juice. I just can't stand them. I Know What I Like is a laughable attempt at a pop song that's tedious and annoying, More Fool Me is just kind of...dull, The Battle Of Epping Forest is both dull and insanely long, two things which never go together well, After the Ordeal has some mediocre guitar work but ends up being forgettable, and finally, Aisle of Plenty is just the ending to The Cinema Show, so you can't even judge it by itself.

The only problem with giving such a highly-acclaimed album such a low score is that I can't guarantee you'll dislike it as much as I did. In fact, I'd be pretty surprised if you agree with me. So, I'd suggest you try it out for yourself and if you like it enough, buy it. If not, well, join the minority.