SELLING ENGLAND BY THE POUND

This was my first introduction to Genesis (I was working in a record store in '75 and the store manager pulled the LP out and told me "This is probably the best album in the store" which piqued my interest). I found it so different from anything else I had ever heard that it instantly created a separate room in my mind to categorize their music in. And it still occupies that same room today. From the bold statement "Can you tell me where my country lies...?" of "Dancing with the moonlit knight" to the haunting reciting of measurements in "Aisle of Plenty" as the album fades in the end it is a masterpiece. "Firth of Fifth" just may be the defining song of all progressive rock. It has every ingredient necessary and the performance is flawless. I'm one who thinks "More Fool Me" is a wonderful, sad tune about being brokenhearted and in no way detracts from the album. I've always loved it. "Battle" is one strange little song but it works on a subconscious level in that the melodies stick with you and reappear at the most unexplainable times. (Like the phrase "picnic, picnic...") "Cinema Show" is a very clever tune that defines their attitude towards their work so well. They always went wherever their imagination led them and didn't question their muse. And, in this case, they created their best album ever. It doesn't tower over their other great achievements but it does stand taller. And it gets my vote for the greatest prog music ever made.