SELLING ENGLAND BY THE POUND

By the time this album was released, Genesis were already recognized as prog giants, having won the hearts of fans everywhere with their mighty twenty three minute epic "Supper's Ready", leaving the band with a high standard to live up to for there next studio album. But Genesis being Genesis, they delivered what most will say is there finest ever album. The album opens with the political classic "Dancing With The Moonlit Knight", which is told from the point of view of Britannia ("The voice of Britain before the Daily Express") as he watches his beloved country fall under the relentless yolk of american globalisation. This track is well ahead of it's time, with Hackett using the sweep-tapping technique on his guitar (a technique which would not be brought to the mainstream until at least five years later). The second track is the famous "I Know What I Like", which experimental introduction, lovable riff and surreal lyrics earned it a place in the UK top 20 chart in 1973. The next track, and my personal favourite of the album, is the powerful "Firth of Fifth". The song begins with a delicate yet up tempo piano introduction from Tony Banks, and then at it's climax breaks into slow yet thick riff played by the whole band. The highlight of this ten minute long piece is Hackett's guitar solo, which many recognise as his finest moment with Genesis. The albums fourth track "More Fool Me" is a benchmark in Genesis history, because it is the first Genesis song sang by Phil Collins. Love him or hate him, with it's melodic sound and touching lyrics, this song is hard to dislike. The penultimate track is "Cinema Show", a splendid piece of music lasting eleven minutes and possibly the most musically technical song that Genesis ever made. This song is complimented nicely by the final track "Aisle of Plenty", a short reprise of "Dancing With The Moonlit Knight" and a perfect finisher for the album. This album is essential to any Genesis fan, and one of the greatest symphonic albums of all time.