SELLING ENGLAND BY THE POUND

SEBTP was the first Genesis album that I listened to. I listened to it after hearing "The Cinema Show" on a long car ride. When it was over, I pressed the "back" button, because I had to listen to it again. I listened in awe. Upon getting home, I obtained the album immediately.

Dancing in the Moonlit Knight is a very accessible song for even non-prog listeners IMO. Great imagery here, as well as clever lyrics filled with allusions and puns.

I Know What I Like is a neat shorter piece. I'm often turned off by Gabriel's quirky voices, but, it's not too extreme here. Decent melody.

Firth of Fifth is a gem. Banks offers a spine chilling performance. The lyrics/vocals are a secondary piece to this song. Genesis is able to show off their versatility here, showcasing Hackett as well in one of his few epic guitar solos.

More Fool Me...... Hm..... Collins' only vocal on the album. I will call this one a fair effort. Perhaps on a weaker album it wouldn't be viewed so poorly, but it certainly is not as strong. IMO, this song does not disrupt the mood or flow of the album, which is essential. It makes sense to me, but could have easily been omitted without much loss.

The Battle of Epping Forest is one song that one that prog-nerds, such as myself, will giz over, but to the common listener will regard as boring and too quirky. Even myself, it took too listens to really "get." I believe this to be a great track, although, I don't feel that it is a track that can really make sense without being listened to with the entire album.

After the Ordeal - Love it or hate it... all it is is a filler transition, some decent work by Banks. Nothing outstanding, but again, it doesn't disrupt the mood/flow of the album.

The Cinema Show: Ah.... at last, the if you aren't convinced that this is a 5 star album, this song should do it. Beautiful opening lyrics. The synth is in full use here. Some non-prog fans are often weary of >10 minute songs, but this song to me feels like a 3 minute song. Like Firth of Fifth, this is mostly instrumental; and however pretentious or mystical the lyrical concept is, one cannot be denied an image based purely on the beautiful crescendo. I often find myself humming the final keyboard notes to myself. Very memorable, very epic. Progs on the mythological reference to Tiresias: the world's most famous transvestite.

Aisle of Plenty wraps this up in an eerie way. A reprise of Dancing in the Moonlit Knight, the listener feels something unfinished about the end, yet still complete. Truly a great clincher, not epic, but just great.... it almost perfectly segues you into a deep thought when the album ends in silence.

One thing I like about this album is the inclusion of instrumentals on the tail end of songs. This album also maintains a consistent mood. When this album finishes, I always get the urge to restart from the beginning. A masterpiece.