SELLING ENGLAND BY THE POUND

I'm currently listening to the instrumental Jam on "The Cinema Show" and realise that not only is this album amazing, it is truly essential to any fan of quality music. Genesis (and most of the best prog artists) have this epic ability to compress so much into a song that its impossible to absorb everything on first listen. ah yes, i'm now up to the keyboard riff that starts at around 10:12, then segues into 'Aisle of Plenty'. Yes, this album kicksass.

There are times that this album can bring me to tears, probably the harmony guitar part at the end of 'After the Ordeal'. 'Dancing With the Moonlit Knight' does a pretty good job of it too, setting the standard of the album immediately with Peter Gabriels fragile acapella voice, then the instruments coming in. Steve Hacketts medieval riff is just beautiful. The rest of the song is a euphoric journey, ending with such a delicate and haunting acoustic guitar riff. Even the weaker tracks on the album, such as 'I Know What I Like' and 'More Fool Me' aren't 'that' annoying. In fact, 'I Know What I Like' has great vocal harmonies, great music, and its fun, which is rare, but again, this is Genesis. I also see this song as a remedy for the intensity of 'DWtMK', and a preparation for what's to come, 'Firth of Fifth'. Apparantly Tony Banks wrote pretty much most of the song, and godammit it kicksass. Epic lyrics, Epic Music, Epic Epic Epic. Did I say Epic? I think I did. Epic. Now, what's next? 'More Fool Me' thats what. Again, i see this as a remedy for the intensity of 'Firth of Fifth'. It's not too bad, but i think they could've put a much better song than this. 'The Battle of Epping Forest' follow's on, however, not 'til the gold is cold. (Sorry, that was a dancing with the moonlit knight private joke. I thought it was pretty funny. guess not...) and i actually think this song is fantastic. The music is complex and beautiful, and the fact that these are Peter's lyrics sticks out like a sore thumb. i can understand why people would find this a little boring, but i find Peter's lyrics to be entertaining at times, basing most of the song around silly characters in silly situations then having a serious point at the end. Oh, and what's next? 'After the Ordeal', that's what. One of my favourite instrumentals of all time. If i ever get to heaven (which i doubt), this is the music i want played as I'm asending, its that beautiful. Oh, those harmonies at the end, i'm sorry, i need a tissue... ah, that's better. BTW, i thought this song was awful the first time i heard it, so there you go. Oh, and lookie what's next! 'The Cinema Show'! I remember reading a review somewhere saying that "if you can sit through the first part of the cinema show, then you can sit through anything". I hope that reviewer gets syphilis, because this song is just sublime, all of it.

I could write significantly more, but i won't, just let me end with this. Get this album, don't sit there wondering if you should invest with Genesis or not, buy this album, and you will see why an investment in this album (and Genesis), is an investment for your mind and your soul.

Social review comments

Review related links

• Send comments to
• Report this review (#9846)
• Buy GENESIS music online with PA partners
• Show all GENESIS MP3/Stream
• Go to GENESIS page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Selling England by the Pound page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for GENESIS related discussions