SELLING ENGLAND BY THE POUND

This album is more polished than their previous releases, if I can use the term correctly. The listener will notice quite a difference. I really liked this album with one exception, but I will not take away any ratings because of it. It is just what a person likes or dislikes.

Peter Gabriel starts it off beautifully, I might add, with "Dancing With the Moonlit Knight." Oh man do the rest of the band take off from there! It just gets better and better. One important note. During Steve Hackett's solo he hits this note and I don't know what he does to it, but it is just awesome to hear. I don't think I ever heard anyone do it before that. This is after his trademark frethand tapping, which was being done by him since 1971, as opposed to Eddie Van Halen's version. The song is chock full of prog delight. You have got to hear it!

My next favorite is "Firth of Fifth" which will give you goose bumps, it is so wonderful to listen to. Peter has such a visual quality to his lyrics. He is a true master of the word! Hackett and Banks shine on the solo parts. It's just great.

The last part I like starts from "After the Ordeal" and ends with the last note on the record. Tony Banks is simply killer here! It always slays me. Genesis is one of the best there is!

The one I didn't really care for a whole lot was "Battle of Epping Forrest." It just seemed about five minutes to long to me. With that said, the band is still at the top of their game. Gabriel again makes you feel like you are right there in the middle of everything as the story unfolds. I may end up liking it better some day bacause it is well played and a good song in its own right.

"More Fool Me" finds Phil Collins sneaking one in for the band with a good vocal here.

I can take or leave "I know what I like." It is a good song and well played also. In fact there are no weak tunes whatsoever and I feel this is essential listening, so I am giving it 5 stars, no question about it.