SELLING ENGLAND BY THE POUND

So Genesis decided to go back to the studio after Foxtrot and what they produced next happened to be one for the ages in my opinion. Genesis was now a full blown Progressive Rock band of their own. They had a unique and original breed that could only be called Genesis. They brought the sense of humor Nursery Cryme and continued through all of Peter's tenure with the band. With Selling England By The Pound we get the best that the band would offer in my opinion. Everyone in the band hits right on the nail for me. Peter has never been so charismatic, Tony's playing had never been better, Steve's leads were some of the best he came up with while in the band, Phil's drumming and Mike's bass playing kept the rhythm section in check. This album is the album that I go back to the most, there is just something really special about it.There is an aura surrounding this album that I really cannot put into words. I will do my best to try to put this album into words so all of you can understand. I will talk about what I like and didn't like about the album. Here is my review of Selling England By The Pound by Genesis.

Here is the track listing:

1. Dancing With The Moonlit Knight- this opener begins with Peter spewing out "Can you tell me where my country lies" aca pella , then we hear that Hackett riff I don't know how to put it into words, then all of a sudden it explodes and becomes a high energy song with great solos, two-hand tapping from Steve, great bass playing and drumming. It's just a song with lots of energy it ends like classical music with a flute solo from Peter (Oh my !!! I can listen to that outro forever!!!!) and overall a fantastic piece, I love it, it's one of my all time fave songs ever!!!!. 10/10

2. I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)-After Moonlit Knight we get the lawnmower man song, I love it, it's just quirky Genesis fun along the lines of Harold The Barrel. I just love how original it is. 10/10

3. Firth Of Fifth- This is yet again another great classic song from not just Genesis but Prog Rock in general. The piano intro to the flute from Peter to the guitar solo from Steve Hackett(Oh my!!! that solo is so great). You can really hear what he is doing with the guitar. Just about everything on this song is pin point and crisp. Phil Collins shows you that he is one of Prog Rock greatest drummers(just listen to his drumming on this song!!!!). The song and its solo is iconic and full of emotion, it's just awesome. 10/10

4. More Fool Me- This is a piece played by Steve or Mike on guitar with Phil singing lead vocals and if you pay attention closely Pete is in the background doing background vocals(how awesome is that!!!). I just wish Genesis did more songs with Phil on lead vocals and Peter on backing vocals when he was in the band. This song is just a lovely acoustic piece that I can't find anything wrong with. 10/10

5. The Battle Of Epping Forest- This is one big epic that to some bring this album down a notch but personally I enjoy it a lot. Pete's commentary is just funny and creative. The lyrics were a handful for the guys in the band to handle but to me that's what the song special(can you imagine this song without them??). Anyway, this song is about the Battle of Epping Forest(hence the title). I love Steve Hackett's solo on this song(one of his best while in Genesis!!!). Overall this song, though it sounds somewhat uneven at times is still very good in my opinion. 9.5/10

6. After The Ordeal- This is a short and sweet instrumental that no one really ever talks about. Steve soars on this piece with his guitar. Tony Banks never wanted this piece to make it to the recording (I wonder why that is??). Any way, I love how it fades away, it's actually quite lush!!! 10/10

7. The Cinema Show- This one is probably the best song on the album. I love everything about from the intro to the flute played by Peter Gabriel to the soulful guitar playing of Steve Hackett. The first half is a song sung by Pete about Romeo and Juliet and medieval England I believe or something like that(I l really don't care if it is, I still love the song) "Once a man, like the sea I raged, Once a woman, like the earth I gave" I love that line and it brings chills down my spine. Then in the second half the song explodes and becomes jazzy and heavenly. Those synth solos from Tony are just wonderous.This is one of Genesis highlights in their entire career. I mean the second half of this song is just divine and heavenly. I can't really put it into words to be quite honest, you are going to have to listen to it for yourself to get what I'm trying to say here. I love it, It maybe my favorite piece by the band(up there with The Musical Box, Supper's Ready, Moonlit Knight). It ends the way Dancing with The Moonlit Knight begins and it leads to the Aisle of Plenty 10/10

8. Aisle Of Plenty- This short piece is just as good as anything else on the album, it reprises Dancing with The Moonlit Knight and gives it a story book ending. 10/10

To me this is Genesis in all their glory with Peter Gabriel and hands down one of Prog Rock's greatest albums ever made. It is a masterpiece and really my favorite Genesis album. I don't think it can get any better. The album gets a 79.5/80 which translates to darn near perfection. It is definitely a 5 star album in my opinion. Genesis at their best as a unit. Peace out!!!!!!