Is Selling England really the greatest prog album? - Progressive Rock Music Forum

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Negoba

Prog Reviewer

Joined: July 24 2008
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Posted: April 01 2009 at 11:01

Yes, there I said it.

You are quite a fine person, and I am very fond of you. But you are only quite a little fellow, in a wide world, after all.

MFP

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Posted: April 01 2009 at 10:43

No. It's a very good album and a great introduction to prog.

XunknownX

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Posted: March 31 2009 at 22:53

To me it's a masterpiece and among the abolute best albums ever made, but it's not my very best.

J-Man

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Posted: March 31 2009 at 14:55

p0mt3 wrote:

In my eyes? Absolutely not. In general? It seems that way.

For me, nothing by Genesis has even come close to being 'the best'. They just aren't as good as the other prog 'gods' in my opinion.

The problem for me isn't Genesis. The problem is the album.

Selling England I wouldn't argue as the best, but The Lamb I might...

Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime

JLocke

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Posted: March 31 2009 at 12:18

In my eyes? Absolutely not. In general? It seems that way.

For me, nothing by Genesis has even come close to being 'the best'. They just aren't as good as the other prog 'gods' in my opinion.

Manuel

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Posted: March 31 2009 at 12:15

Atavachron wrote:

it's far too easy to simply say "it's great but not the best" ..the question is begged: what is the greatest prog album? According to the posts here, there is no right answer. But that's not really addressing the question. If there is an album worthy of Best Prog Record, then why not try to figure out which one it could be. I mean, there aren't really that many that would qualify, maybe 10 to 20 on a given person's list, or a collective list. And when held up against musical history, I think Selling England is an easy contender for Best and would support a compelling argument for it.

I totally agree with you, but it would be very hard to reach a conclusion, since you would get all kinds of opinions as to why an album is or not worthy of the title.
The problem is that most people go by their musical taste and preferences, and the vast majority don't have any musical training. It's easy to judge if a song/album is good, but to write, compose and arrange music is not easy, and most people don't have a clue of the process. I think that attempting such a task would lead to a lot of arguments, and hardly reach the desired conclusion.

Manuel

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Posted: March 31 2009 at 12:15

Losendos

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Posted: March 31 2009 at 07:52

I have a problem putting an album as the best ever prog album which has weak moments. My best ever are Foxtrot and Abbey Road.

How wonderful to be so profound

BaldJean

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Posted: March 31 2009 at 05:43

Roj M30 wrote:

progrocker2244 wrote:

Nightfly wrote:

A truly beautiful album. Perfect in execution and composition (okay More Fool Me is not fantastic) and a great production too. Never ceases to enthrall me. Totally desrving of the no 1 spot.

I'm not sure I'd cite Selling England as having great production quality. It's not bad, but it's definitely not noteworthy either.

I agree pr2244. Whilst the production on SEBTP is much better than the earlier ones (they really did have DREADFUL production), just compare it to the production on Floyd's DSOTM which was released around that time. There's no comparison.

I emphasise I'm not comparing those album's content, just the production.

production does definitely NOT enter my judgment when listening to an album, unless it is truly horrible so that you can hardly hear the music at all.
did you read the Genesis book by Armando Gallo? the story of the production of "Foxtrot" should open your eyes about the situation rock groups were in in the early 70s. the album was recorded in a small studio, and kids came rushing in all the time, disturbing the recording, until Genesis decided to let them sing the "we will rock you, little snake" chorus in "Supper's Ready". from then on the kids felt important and remained absolutely silent while the group recorded.
you can't expect great production under circumstances like these, and most groups were fighting similar circumstances back then. it is not like today, where a record company offers you a week of studio time and the best gear so you can produce your album (provided your albums sell well)

A shot of me as High Priestess of Gaia during our fall festival. Ceterum censeo principiis obsta

Atavachron View Drop Down

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Posted: March 30 2009 at 23:45

it's far too easy to simply say "it's great but not the best" ..the question is begged: what is the greatest prog album? According to the posts here, there is no right answer. But that's not really addressing the question. If there is an album worthy of Best Prog Record, then why not try to figure out which one it could be. I mean, there aren't really that many that would qualify, maybe 10 to 20 on a given person's list, or a collective list. And when held up against musical history, I think Selling England is an easy contender for Best and would support a compelling argument for it.

Manuel

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Posted: March 30 2009 at 23:29

I agree with most everyone here, a great album but not the best.

One thing we should realize is that our particular taste in music will pretty much determine if we consider a record, band or artist good or not, so it's hard to be objective when it comes to some music towards which we have a particular feeling for. That said, I think is one of the greatest records, but to determine that one in particular is the best, is quite difficult.

The Pessimist View Drop Down

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Posted: March 30 2009 at 18:25

HughesJB4 wrote:

No.

I can think of about 100 albums I like a lot better.

"Market value is irrelevant to intrinsic value."

Arnold Schoenberg

laztraz

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Posted: March 30 2009 at 18:07

I actually don't like it that much. I tried. It's not even in my top five Genesis albums, much less top albums of all time. I really don't understand it's appeal. However, many people disagree, so what do I know?

senor

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Posted: March 27 2009 at 04:53

SEBTP is surely the most complex work Genesis has done. But the thing is there is no 'best prog album'. I'ts like trying to pinpoint the best view of the Andes, or the best martini. Or the best way to explain this without coming off as completely pretentious. I always thought 'And Then There Were Three' was cool because it was transitional and very strange, which to me is progressive. Any piece of art that makes you say "Huh?" is progressive to me. Fun stuff.

el dingo

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Posted: March 27 2009 at 04:37

IMO it's a great prog album that I like very much, but to me not the greatest.

My italics cannot make it the greatest prog album of all time 'cos there's no such thing.

It's not that I can't find worth in anything, it's just that I can't find worth in enough.

WalterDigsTunes View Drop Down

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Posted: March 27 2009 at 04:23

Alberto Muñoz wrote:

Not the Greatest but one of the greatest

Atavachron View Drop Down

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Posted: March 26 2009 at 16:48

yes, it probably is the greatest prog album.. sorry

himtroy

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Posted: March 26 2009 at 16:44

I definitely don't think it's the greatest prog album of all time. I'd rather have it up there than Close to the Edge though. I like both albums, but even though I do sometimes listen to and like Yes I really don't get the fascination with them.

mr.cub

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Posted: March 26 2009 at 14:17

Can't argue with the point about Dancing with the Moonlit Knight and Firth of Fifth, those two songs are excellent and among Genesis' best. Personally, there probably is a perfect progressive rock album out there, but why bother worrying about it. Its like splitting hairs when one considers how many truly remarkable albums have been cut over the years. Any discussion of the sort is superfluous to me...

Edited by mr.cub - March 26 2009 at 14:17