SELLING ENGLAND BY THE POUND

Ok, I know this album is perhaps one of the most reviewed albums out there, but I just had to review this album. This album is in fact one of top 20 favorite albums of all time, but I understand that it is not perfect and that one Phil Collins song really lowers the rating for me from a 4.75 to a 4.5, but anyways, here's my judgement on this album.

This is perhaps Genesis' finest album, well unless you are a fan of IMO, their magnum opus and Peter Gabriel's last album, The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway, but this is IMO their best one disc album.

It starts off with Peter Gabriel singing on Dancing With The Moonlit Knight, and then the band starts playing. The song is a very good start to the album, maybe not as good as The Musical Box or Watcher of the Skies, but gets it done. After a very commercially accessible song, I Know What I like In your Wardrobe. (Which is not that bad)

We find one of the most premier, remembered Progressive Rock tracks ever. The Classic Firth of Fifth is definitely one of the best tracks in Prog history and might be one of my favorites too.

More Fool Me is a track that the now infamous Phil Collins (within the Prog scene of course) starts singing. THe poppy-like theme and of course the song, highly reminds us of what will happen in the 80s, but of course, this song is better than most of Genesis' 3-man output after Abacab.

The Battle of Epping Forest is a very intricate song with a lot of emotions and one theme about a gang battle. Anyways, the song starts off side 2 and I must say this is also one of Genesis' best songs. The 11 minute epic is then followed by AFter the Ordeal, a brilliant, emotional song that enhances my mind. Then from this point on, This album turns into one of the most brilliant Prog sides ever.

The Cinema Show and Aisle of Plenty (Which should be one final ending song) is perhaps the most emotionally felt song that Peter Gabriel Genesis has ever written, well maybe except for The Musical Box. This song has amazingly beautiful synths and guitar melodies weaved together along with one of Gabriel's best vocal performances. Aisle of Plenty alone has more emotions and beauty than some entire 2 sides of a vinyl record combined.

Here is How I rate each individual song:

1. Dancing With The Moonlit Knight 4/5 2. I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) 4/5 3. Firth Of Fifth 10/5 4. More Fool Me 2/5 5. The Battle Of Epping Forest 5/5 6. After The Ordeal 5/5 7. The Cinema Show 5/5 8. Aisle Of Plenty 5/5

Side 2 of Selling England By the Pound is not only one of the best sides in prog, but also one of the most emotional. I love this album very much, it might not be as perfect as a Close to the Edge or A In the Court of the Crimson King, but this album blows them away in terms of emotions.

This album is essential for any fan of Progressive Music, alone with those albums and many others.