SELLING ENGLAND BY THE POUND

At the time bands such as Yes, ELP and King Crimson were trying to bring something new to rock'n roll. Genesis with this album succeeded to do something both virtuose and very melodic. The band was composed of Tony Banks, master of keyboards, Phil collins a dynamic drummer, Steve Hackett guitar god and tapping pionneer, Mike Rutherford an inventive bassist and Peter Gabriel a charimastic and thetrical singer.

The album starts with "Dancing with the moonlight knight" which contains the a cappella introduction of Gabriel,beautiful harmony, powerful Collins drums and bright dialogue between Hackett guitar and Banks synthetisor. This announces one of the most important album in rock history. after, comes the hit song "I know what I like (In your wardrobe)" with Rutherford sitar riff and Gabriel theatrical voice. It's pleasent but not as good as the prvious and the next tracks: "Firth of fifth". It starts with a bright Bank's piano solo, then Gabriel sings few lyrics before playing a flute theme. Then Banks replays the intro on keyboards, during Rutherford and Collins dynamic sections, before the best Hackett guitar solo ever. It sounds really great. After Gabriel sings a final chorus with Banks piano conclusion. After, there is "More fool me" wich includes Collins vocals and accoustics guitars. It's pleasent but it's the weakest song of the album. It concludes side A.

Side B starts with "The battle of Epping Forest" the longest track or the album and the wordiest Genesis song. It shows Gabriel hability to sing as many characters, the solid rythm section Collins-Rutherford, and the final Hackett solo. It's one of the most theatrical song ever. Then comes the instrumental "After the ordeal" which includes another Hackett solo. After, comes an epic song "Cinema show" which begins as a love song with Hackett accoustic guitar and Gabriel vocal harmony and finish as an instrumental track with jazz inspired Collins drums and Banks sensible synth solo. It's really brillant and some fans consider it as best Genesis Song. "Aisle of plenty" is a reprise of "Moonlight knight" harmony and concludes the album.

Genesis with this album confirmed his Prog Star statute reached with "Nursery Cryme" and "Foxtrot" and announce another masterpiece "The lamb lies down on Broadway". "Selling England by the Pound" inspired another artists such as Marillion, Camel and Supertramp.