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Genesis - Selling England by the Pound CD (album) cover

SELLING ENGLAND BY THE POUND

Genesis

 

Symphonic Prog

4.65 | 4659 ratings

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EatThatPhonebook
Prog Reviewer
5 stars 10/10

Amazingly majestic, profound, complex, beautiful, "Selling England By The Pound" is one of the best progressive albums ever made.

After the supreme masterpiece "Foxtrot", Genesis was still able to maintain the same levels as their previous album, thanks to "Selling England By The Pound", not only one of the best progressive albums ever made, but even one of the best albums generally speaking of the 70s (heck, maybe one of the best of all time). Amazingly majestic, profound, complex, beautiful.

The album starts with "Dancing With The Moonlight Knight", one of the best prog songs of all time. It starts very mellow, but then it explodes into a triumphant and glorious piece of music, epic and unbeatable. After, when the song is almost over, the theme changes, one of the greatest song closers ever. "I Know what I like" never really got me, I never really enjoyed listening to it. The chorus is kind of lame, and the general structure of the song isn't very great. My least favorite one from this album. "Firth of Fifth" starts with a beautiful and virtuous piano part, followed by the song's main theme, were Gabriel and co. really demonstrate how good they can be. It's a very melancholy song, especially the main theme, even though the great arrangements and solos in the middle of the song are very cheerful and happy sounding. "More Fool Me" is a beautiful brief ballad with Phil Collins on vocals. It really is a great interlude, a pause between all the long and complex songs. " The Battle Of Epping Forest" is the longest song of the album, and possibly it is the best song in an artistic point of view. It has many themes ( It could easily be a suite), and it shows the bands incredible talent in songwriting and performing as a group. Gabriel's vocals are unusual and original, absolutely an essential song for those who don't like to listen to entire albums all at once ( I personally don't understand them, I find it necessary to listen to an album all the way through and in order.) "After the Ordeal" is the only instrumental piece , a brief and cheerful piece that stands between the two really long songs of the album. " The Cinema Show", despite having many memorable moments, is one of my least favorite songs of the album. Maybe starts to be too complex for my tastes, and you can find some excessive instrumentations. Hwever, it's a really good song, and the intro played with guitar is beautiful. "Aisle Of Plenty" is the shortest song, it's experimental and interesting. Actually, it might be one of the best closers of all time.

What an album, so mind blowing, so great, I still can't believe such an album exists.

EatThatPhonebook | 5/5 |

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