SELLING ENGLAND BY THE POUND

Selling England by the Pound represents the peak of Genesis as a band. From the haunting opening lyrics of "Dancing with the Moonlight Knight" one knows they are in for a treat. Next up, the humorous gardener in "I Know What I Like", followed by what I consider the best progressive song ever written: "Firth of Fifth - a truly majestic piece of music. From the beautiful piano introduction through the plaintive guitar solo to the crescendo as the song ends, a complete masterpiece. "More Fool Me" is a slow quiet ballad that for me is the only low spot on the album. Side two opens with the complex "Battle of Epping Forest", a song that transports gang conflict back to the days of Robin Hood, and after that, the nearly heartwrenching guitar in the instrumental "After the Ordeal". "The Cinema Show", track 7, is my second favorite song on the album. Outstanding lyrics presented in a powerful musical arrangement, followed by "Aisle of Plenty", which reprises the opening melody, and gives a bit of an endless loop feel to the album. While Nursery Crime and Foxtrot contain outstanding songs, the writing, musicianship and production on Selling England by the Pound represent the best overall album that Genesis would offer.