Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography
Genesis - Selling England by the Pound CD (album) cover

SELLING ENGLAND BY THE POUND

Genesis

 

Symphonic Prog

4.65 | 4657 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Boi_da_boi_124
5 stars Review #25!

'Selling England by the Pound' starts off with the instantly recognizable 'Can you tell me where my country lies?'. The opening of 'Dancing with the Moonlit Knight' accelerates from an a cappella lament to an electric prog groove. This then falls to ambient noise with acoustic guitar leading the scene. The music fades away and 'I Know What I Like(In Your Wardrobe)', my all-time favorite Genesis song, begins to play. A quick monologue, and a commencing of the music. This little song has one of my favorite choruses of any song ever. While not all that short, the song moves so fluidly and quickly, it feels like only a minute of runtime. Has some amazing lyrics. Some loud synth and the song ends. 'Firth of Fifth', which I feel has too long of a piano intro, begins. The lyrics found in this song are stellar. Some lyrics are recited, the chorus hits, and some classic melodic Peter Gabriel flute plays momentarily. After a while, a transcending guitar solo hits. This is the true highlight of this song. Then, the other instruments that faded away are reintroduced for a return to lyrics. The song ends the way it begins, which makes the long intro ten times more bearable. If you have read my review of 'Nursery Cryme', you know my feelings toward Phil Collins as a vocalist. That's all I will say other than the fact that this track is okay. Not good, not bad, just okay. On the flip side is 'The Battle of Epping Forest'. This used to be my favorite song on the album. I love the music, the marching intro, the whole shebang. The little nuances are what make this giant of a song entertaining. This song must have been unbearably fun to record. I would have been laughing my ass off while voicing Liquid Len or the voice who called out 'shoot!'. The ending is satirically depressing, if you pick up what I'm throwing down. 'After the Ordeal', a beautiful little instrumental, begins and ends quite swiftly. 'The Cinema Show', which I used to find unbearably boring as a song, comes after. I have realized, after enough listening, it is far from so. It is closer to one of the best tracks from Genesis ever. The second half of the song is instrumental, and that is what had originally annoyed me, but not anymore. 'Aisle of Plenty' closes the album beautifully, and in under two minutes. A masterpiece, that's what this album is. A masterpiece. Not a concept album, per se, but a masterpiece. A masterpiece.

A masterpiece.

Boi_da_boi_124 | 5/5 |

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Share this GENESIS review

Social review comments () BETA







Review related links

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.