SELLING ENGLAND BY THE POUND

This must be my favorite prog rock record. Not that I dig every single note played on this record, but even the weaker moments are very good. On the other hand the best moments are unsurpassed in this genre. Obviuosly the best songs are Firth of fifth and Dancing with the Moonlit Knight ..... both songs have superb instrumentation and I believe the guitar solo near the end of Firth of fifth is the best guitar part EVER. Peter Gabriel's vocals and the lyrics need no comment, it is very public that he is THE MAN here. The two longest cuts are also great, but unfortunately little more generic than those two first gems. Cinema Show reminds me of Supper's ready from previous Foxtrot album a lot, but is much mellower. The Battle of Epping Forest seems to be underrated in the eyes of critics and suprisingly even the band themselves. I think this song is really good and the vocal really dont distract me at all. Also More Fool Me is underated as well, it is a pop song, thats for sure, but a really nice one, the melody is lovely and Phil's singing as well. I Know What I Like has the disadvantage of being put in between the album's best tracks, so that's why I dont enjoy it as much, but still is very good, maybe too short.

Just a remark...I have this album on a vinyl and believe me, the sound is INCREDIBLE...exspecially the drums and the synths...really great LP.

Anyway, when considering the more melodic art rock (with King Crimson and ELP on the opposite side of the spectrum) it doesnt get better than this. Higly recommended.