Why does everyone hate The Battle Of Epping Forest

Sean Trane wrote: The Dark Elf wrote: dougmcauliffe wrote: I just dont get what's so offensively bad about More Fool Me It is short and soon over, which is its saving grace. The same cannot be said for Epping Forest which drags on 5 or 6 minutes longer than its expiration date, hence its stench. Not short enough, IMHO. 1- Even at the same length as (the much-better) For Absent Friends (1'30") it would still overstay its welcome by its entire duration. 2- MFM is totally out of context of the album's concept, which is about the collapse of the British Empire and the decadence of the English model. 3- musically, it's completely dire and dry (downright poor, I should be tempted to write), even when compared to the other less complex tracks (Wardrobe and Ordeal) 4- I'm not even sure Collins would find a spot for this MFM track on his 80's solo albums, however poor & suckish they would be.

I have nothing against "More Fool Me". It's no masterpiece, but it's nice enough. Plus, in the overall picture it's a nice break from the more complex songs. It adds some balance to the album I guess.

I love More Fool Me. For a long time I vastly preferred it to Epping Forest. And I do think it can fit to the lyrical and musical concept of the record in that it sounds like a Medieval madrigal of sorts, Phil and Mike are just passing minstrels in the English countryside playing a sweet little love song for anyone who cares to hear. That's the sort of thing that would disappear with the Americanisation of England. It's also got really lovely guitar work in its own right, and Phil's voice was never sweeter (and brilliant harmonies too). At any rate, it certainly doesn't stick out as much as Whodunnit from Abacab. A little acoustic balladry is always welcome in my book.

Sean Trane wrote: richardh wrote: Dellinger wrote: cstack3 wrote: Don't feel badly, I quite enjoy "Time Table" on Foxtrot, which earns me great malice amongst Genesis fans!  "Epping Forest" is decent, but not a masterpiece.  Tony Banks does some great synth leads on that one. I never knew people were supposed to not like Time Table, I do find it rather beautiful.   that is indeed a beautiful song. Foxtrot is an album I don't find any fault with although Watcher Of The Skies tends to be the slightly controversial track for some reason. the A-side is rather flawed IMHO Not a fan of Watcher (the intro last way too long), Friday is relatively good (but the band has yet to find its ground with those rock operas - Epping Forest will be much better), Timetable is really not good. Only Can Utility is ultra-great and I even find it superior to Supper, because it condenses everything they can do in less than 6 minutes.

 

richardh wrote: Sean Trane wrote: richardh wrote: that is indeed a beautiful song. Foxtrot is an album I don't find any fault with although Watcher Of The Skies tends to be the slightly controversial track for some reason. the A-side is rather flawed IMHO Not a fan of Watcher (the intro last way too long), Friday is relatively good (but the band has yet to find its ground with those rock operas - Epping Forest will be much better), Timetable is really not good. Only Can Utility is ultra-great and I even find it superior to Supper, because it condenses everything they can do in less than 6 minutes.   I don't rate Epping Forest of course (aside from the first 2 minutes) so 'better' is entirely subjective while Timetable is something special to me. I remember listening to it after the London bombings and it seemed as poignant and relevant as any song written to me. It really is that good and terribly underrated. However I agree that Can Utility is brilliant although not sure it outclasses Suppers Ready. I mean where is the Apocalypse section? You could have 15 minutes of drivel preceding it and it would still be better than 99% of prog epics. It's actually funny how many neo prog bands have tried to copy it and got nowhere near

This is stupid, it's one of the best genesis tracks.

Well, the Genesis pot is stirred again. The porridge of grumpiness is partaken by the strange youngsters of the prog world...who listen without the context...but Fear not....Trump insists that injecting yourself with bleach will prevent you from dying from covid19...coz you will be dead within minutes of the injection but your death will not be in the covid stats....thankful for her fine fare discount...Tess cooperates...

^ Singing along is always fun......
.....and Harold demure, who’s still not quite sure, fires acorns from out of hithling 🤪

Edited by Tom Ozric - April 24 2020 at 13:48

Sacro_Porgo wrote: Tom Ozric wrote: ^ Singing along is always fun...... .....and Harold demure, who’s still not quite sure, fires acorns from out of hithling 🤪 here come the cavalry and this is when I do my little Tony Banks air keys, with all his noodly arpeggios and scales

Handing out bread and jam just like any picnic........listen to Phil’s tricky drumming around this part. Thinking about it, this track is awesome really.

Tom Ozric wrote: Sacro_Porgo wrote: Tom Ozric wrote: ^ Singing along is always fun...... .....and Harold demure, who’s still not quite sure, fires acorns from out of hithling 🤪 here come the cavalry and this is when I do my little Tony Banks air keys, with all his noodly arpeggios and scales  Handing out bread and jam just like any picnic........listen to Phil’s tricky drumming around this part. Thinking about it, this track is awesome really.