SELLING ENGLAND BY THE POUND

The overall sound has a somewhat chamber music feel to it, with acoustic guitars, some flutes, and oboes here and there, plus obvious classical influences throughout.

The Cinema Show is the song you need off of this album. I would argue that Aisle of Plenty should be tacked on to it as well. In case you haven't heard the song, it's a pretty quiet piece with acoustic guitars at first. It then leads into an odd time signature section of synth soloing for several minutes. This soloing is not just noodling over the same chord changes. There are new musical ideas as it goes along. Aisle of Plenty finishes it off and makes sense. There are some interesting vocal ideas in Aisle, and it is enjoyable on it's own if you won't edit your mp3s as I like to do.

The Battle of Epping Forest is my pick for next best song. Odd times, many different sounds, changing dynamics and high quality musicianship. It has to be one of the most difficult songs Genesis ever did. It ranks as a prog rock classic.

After The Ordeal is an instrumental piece. The beginning of this piece is very classical sounding. The second half seems to slow down with the drums and electric guitar added. Despite the slowdown, I consider the strong first half to be classic material.

The classics keep coming on this album. Firth of Fifth is a very easy song to like. The instrumental middle section is classic, once again. On this album Genesis have really developed their signature instrumental sound, which they kept for several albums after this one.

Dancing With The Moonlit Knight comes in as my final classic choice off this album. Varying dynamics and lots of ideas in this one.

If you can avoid two songs on this album, they are I Know What I Like and More Fool Me. They are more simple style songs, if not poppy. I have never understood the success of I Know What I Like. I can honestly say it sounds like they recorded it in their garage. The singing is terrible, and the musical ideas are weak. I recall enjoying the live version on Seconds Out better.

Despite two weak songs, the album overall is a classic, it is 5 star all the way, and is essential for your collection.

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