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Genesis - Selling England by the Pound CD (album) cover

SELLING ENGLAND BY THE POUND

Genesis

 

Symphonic Prog

4.65 | 4657 ratings

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Shakespeare
4 stars Selling England by the Pound is among the most revered progressive rock releases ever, from one of the most prestigious progressive rock bands. To describe it, one word would suffice. Majestic. The orchestral, sweeping, lush atmosphere to the album is unmistakable, with such a romantic disposition, an emotionally epic scale, and a truly majestic presentation. Despite the poor production, and the terrible sound quality (even on the re-master), Selling England by the Pound is utterly majestic, and absolutely essential.

Nothing on this album stands out to be as absolute magic, unlike Supper's Ready did on Foxtrot, but instead, this album stands as a whole, and is in its own rite magical. It took me many listens to fully appreciate More Fool Me, and The Battle of Epping Forest, but suddenly both clicked, and I realized that they simply require a serving of patience to go with them. But the rest of the album is shockingly good. The gorgeous guitar solo and flute lines of the epic Firth of Fifth, the energetic keyboard solos of Cinema Show, the constantly evolving Dancing With the Moonlit Knight, and the melancholic and serene ending Aisle of Plenty: all of it is grandiose.

In the end, the thing about this album that stays with you is not the outstanding skill of the musicians, not the compelling atmosphere, not the remarkable voice of Peter Gabriel, not the delicately meaningful lyrics, not the world that the music carves in the mind of the listener, not even the beautiful and inspired compositions. It is the epic, grandiose, symphonic, mighty, majestic edge that this music drives with. It is wholly unforgettable.

Shakespeare | 4/5 |

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