SELLING ENGLAND BY THE POUND

Okay, I admit. I didn't strictly adhere to the rules when I gave this a five-star rating. Nor did a lot of other reveiwers, it seems. It is a frustrating album to review. While "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" doesn't have the low points "Selling England by the Pound" has, it doesn't reach the same heights. And those heights are high indeed. And since I wouldn't hesitate to give TLLDOB five stars, it would be impossible to rate SEBTP lower.

The real problem with this album is, of course, "More Fool Me", a very dull, and definitely not progressive, song, with incredibly weak singing by Phil Collins. Considering his later career, I suppose he is the main songwriter behind it (all songs are credited to the group). He should have stuck to the drums!

One more song that warrants some discussion is "The Battle ot Epping Forest", one of Peter Gabriel's social commentary songs. As much as I - usually - share his views, sometimes the music seems less important. Still it's a good song, even if it drags on a little to long. The lyrics, about a gang war, are indeed witty.

The rest of the album is immensely beautiful symphonic prog, with one of the best prog groups at the height of their powers, at the time when prog rock peaked. And the real masterpiece is, what else, "Firth of Fifth". Still, after these 35+ years, I get the goose-bumps when I hear that organ, or that piano, or that flute, or that electric guitar... or Gabriel's singing, for that matter!