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

SELLING ENGLAND BY THE POUND

Genesis

 

Symphonic Prog

4.65 | 4736 ratings

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Ounamahl
5 stars If someone asked me which is the greatest album ever created, I think I would answer: Selling England By The Pound. The first time I listened to this I was stunned, the second time I listened to this, I was even more stunned. I'm stunned after 1001 listenings.

"SEBTP" starts with the magnificent "Dancing With The Moonlit Knight", everything has been said about this true gem. It starts with nothing less than a beautiful al cappella sung by Peter Gabriel, then grows to a true symphonic masterpiece. The best part is when I hear the "There's a fat old lady outside the saloon. Laying out the credit cards, she plays fortune". It's unbealiavable, cold flushes everytime. Aarrrgh

"I Know What I like" is IMO the weakest track in this album. But not even close to bad. It's starts with the funny intro and grows to a poppish-prog song. Overall a great song 8½/10.

Is there anyone here who hasn't heard "Firth Of Fifth"? Or the piano intro? No one? I guess so. One of the best tracks ever created, starts with the 1+minute pianointro, which is.. I cannot describe. Amazing. Then grows with the strong vocals to a beautiful instrumental section. Stunning.

Then the "weakest" track here, "More Fool Me". Well if it was released as a single it would blow. BUT it fits here. After the magnificent epic, it goes as a cool down for the next stunning song... Which is "The Battle Of Epping Forest", some may say it's bad. I must correct you: NO! It's pretty theatrical, yes ok but as a whole piece it's amazing. Variying, beautiful and mostly: entertaining. I love this.

"After The Ordeal" is one of the most beautiful tracks I've heard. Reminds me somewhat of todays Post-Rock (Explosions In The Sky). It's amazing. It keeps the athmosphere of the album perfectly with it's beautiful and variying melodies.

The end of the album: "The Cinema Show/Aisle Of Plenty", is one of the strongest songs Genesis did. Starts with Hackett's guitar intro and then comes the vocals. And oh we're in the middle of one of the greatest synth-solos in the history of music. It's amazing.

In overall this album is a must have. I actually find no bad flaws in it. And the climaxes are a pure pleasure to the listener. Five stars is not enough :)

Ounamahl | 5/5 |

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