SELLING ENGLAND BY THE POUND

What can be said about one of the greatest prog albums ever issued by one of the greatest prog bands ever? Selling England by the Pound is the pinnacle of Genesis prog career and with good reason.

"Dancing with the Moonlit Knight" is one of the most thoughtful and beautiful passages ever composed by any band. Exquisite piano follows a solitary opening and a wonderful guitar part by Hackett. "you know what you are, you don't give a damn." The song follows many passages of moods from melancholy to anger and the music follows with tremendous arrangement. "you know the deck is uneven right from the start" summing up the state of affairs in England and the social inequalities inherent..

"I Know What I Like" is another classic song with the wonderful "cuckoo to you" verse, and all things very British might I add. Great percussion in the breaks from Mr Collins...and such great lines as "gambling only pays when your winning" hmmmm..

"Firth of Fifth" is truly a beautiful song drenched in heavy organ that opens into a soaring Hackett guitar solo at about the six minute mark taking the song to new heights. One of the most memorable three minute pieces follow as the band is able to take it down and back up again as the solo leads the listener on a marvelous musical adventure.

Of course the epic "Battle of Epping Forest" runs over eleven minutes in length resulting from a news story about rival gangs fighting over east end protection rights.the songs finish is with everyone dead and a coin toss to decide the winner. In between the band takes the listener in and out of a narrative with typical tongue in cheek humor and all the instruments in exactly the right places,

"Cinema Show" with soft beauty and rich instrumentation tells the story of anticipation of two lovers being taken back in time by a man who has crossed between poles.there is no mystery.more earth than sea.wonderful keyboards fill this mood driven song's middle and it clocks in at over eleven minutes.

All told not a weak moment on this five star essential prog album, a tremendous band at the peak of their musical creativity.