SELLING ENGLAND BY THE POUND

After the release of Foxtrot, Genesis reached a level of both maturity and creativity so high it seemed impossible to keep up with. Nevertheless, the group stood on that album and attained an even higher peak with Selling England By The Pound.

The opening Dancing With The Moonlit Knight?which consists of a biting contemplation about the ever-changing English culture?stands out as one of the best songs of the entire Genesis discography. After that, I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) never loses its composure despite being the first song fitted for the radio. Moreover, the beautiful piano introduction by Tony Banks and the stupendous guitar solo by Steve Hackett both render Firth of Fifth an exceptional masterpiece.

Perhaps the only dissonant bit of the Album is More Fool Me, a ballad sung by Phil Collins and maybe the first symptom of the ensuing Genesis development. Thereupon they attained a magnificent level with the long and dynamic The Battle of Epping Forest, the instrumental After The Ordeal, the 11-minute gem The Cinema Show (made out of Hackett and Bank´s superb craft), and?to seal the album?Aisle of Plenty, another instrumental piece.

Selling England By The Pound is a demonstration of the excellent state of the musicians that made it and one of the best progressive-music discs ever created.