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Rating:
Yes, I know, yet another review of "Selling England By The Pound," but this time I believe I have a reason. Essentially, this album disgusts me, I consider it the worst of Genesis, at least those from the '70s.
Genesis saw a rapid rise within the progressive scene. After a passable first album, they created their true masterpiece: "Trespass," an album full of emotional tension and a desire to communicate. This was followed by "Nursery Cryme," which hardened the sound and was likewise a masterpiece. Then came "Foxtrot," the album that put them before a choice: "do we continue with suites of jazzy refinement, or go back to the rawness of Nursery?" They chose the former.
In 1973.
This should explain everything. All the useless content in this true classic.
The album begins with Dancing With The Moonlit Knight, one of the most beautiful tracks, no doubt about it. The piece is well placed, and besides, it doesn't even excessively go over in length (7 minutes is ideal) with a central break of absolute virtuosity in drumming. Kudos as usual to Phil Collins, undoubtedly the best musician of the group and the only virtuoso in the strict sense of the term. Although some scales could indeed have been cut in favor of immediacy, the track is fine, does not tire, and flows naturally.
Next is I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe). A track of outlandish pop, dominated by an organ that is very much Manzarek-like but remains of good quality.
Here we arrive at the meatloaf. Firth Of Fifth is a track ridiculously pumped to the absurd, with myriad solos and a somewhat ridiculous pastoral text. Hackett's solo is saved, but it's 2 minutes out of over 9 of absolute self-reference and self-indulgence.
More Fool Me is the second pop moment of the album, here Collins sings, and I must say I don't dislike the track, it is well placed and intimate. At least it allows one to catch their breath after that indigestible stuff earlier.
With the second side, peaks are reached that I would define as pure idiocy.
The Battle Of Epping Forest is a concoction of broccoli raab, various stir-fries, and industrial quantities of tempo changes. The lyrics are a kind of urban poem, and the track is a jumble of ideas randomly thrown together and really poorly linked. After dozens of listens, it leaves nothing, just a sense of confusion, but not the confusion of a Starless or a Heart Of The Sunrise, the confusion of someone who hasn't understood a damn thing. 11 minutes of furrowed brow. Even though I have always found the track somewhat likable, it is undeniable that it remains totally incomprehensible even to the most seasoned fans.
After The Ordeal is another nice semi-acoustic moment that, believe it or not, was almost cut from the album in favor of who knows what else!
The Cinema Show inexplicably became a concert staple. The track is, at least, more cohesive and catchy than The Battle, but shines with the same bourgeois self-importance as Firth Of Fifth. The first five minutes are saved, but as soon as the 7/8 solo begins, it's instantly clear that they’ve gotten a big head. An endless series of scales, keyboard crescendos, and obsessive rhythm. As if I were listening to a Disco-Trance album!
The album is considered among the most representative of progressive, no doubt about it. It carefully reproduces every single stereotype and the most irritating aspects, resulting in something heavy and self-indulgent, lacking the narrative strength of "Nursery" and the raw emotions of "Trespass." There is much refinement, an incredible level of executive refinement, a refinement that surpasses the already regal "Foxtrot," a refinement that hides a total lack of restraint, not of ideas. There were ideas. They could have been used better, in more tracks, with fewer stuffed meatloaves and a few more sandwiches.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
03 Firth of Fifth (09:37)
The path is clear, though no eyes can see
The course laid down long before
And so with gods and men, the sheep remain inside their pen
Though many times they've seen the way to leave
He rides majestic, past homes of men
Who care not or gaze with joy
To see reflected there, the trees, the sky, the lily fair
The scene of death is lying just below
The mountains cut off the town from view
Like a cancer growth is removed by skill
Let it be revealed
A waterfall, his madrigal
An inland sea, his symphony
Undinal songs urge the sailors on
'Till lured by the siren's cry...
Now as the river dissolve in sea
So Neptune has claimed another soul
And so with gods and men, the sheep remain inside their pen
Until the shepherd leads his flock away
The sands of time were eroded by
The river of constant change
04 More Fool Me (03:11)
Here am I
Who while away the mornings
Since you've gone
Too long have I lain alone
Not knowing which way to turn.
And there you are
Quite sure that you were right
Knowing full well
That I'd be the first one
To go down.
And you'd be the one who was laughing
Except when things weren't going your way
And the lady would say that she'd had enough
Wandering around on her own.
The day you left
Well I think you knew you'd not be back
Well at least it would seem that way
Because you never said goodbye.
But when it comes round to you and me
I'm sure it will work out alright.
And you'd be the one who was laughing
And giving me something I don't need
And you know, I'd always hold you and keep you warm
Oh! more fool me.
But when it comes
Round to you and me
I ask myself
Do I really believe
In your love.
And yes, I'm sure it will work out alright.
05 The Battle of Epping Forest (11:48)
(Taken from a news story concerning two rival gangs fighting
over East-End Protection rights)
Along the Forest Road, there's hundreds of cars - luxury cars.
Each has got its load of convertible bars, cutlery cars - superscars!
For today is the day when they sort it out, sort it out,
'cause they disagree on a gangland boundary.
Yes, they disagree on a gangland boundary.
There's Willy Wright and his boys -
one helluva noise, that's Billy's boys!
With fully-fashioned mugs, that's Little John's thugs,
the Barking Slugs - supersmugs!
For today is the day when they sort it out, sort it out,
these Christian soldiers fight to protect the poor.
East end heroes got to score in...
the Battle of Epping Forest,
it's the Battle of Epping Forest,
right outside your door.
You ain't seen nothing like it.
No, you ain't seen nothing like it,
not since the Civil War.
Coming over the hill are the boys of Bill,
and Johnny's lads stand very still.
With the thumpire's shout, they all start to clout
- there's no guns in this gentleman's bout.
Georgie moves in on the outside left
with a chain flying round his head;
and Harold Demure, from Art Literature,
nips up the nearest tree.
(Here come the cavalry!)
Admidst the battle roar,
accountants keep the score: 10-4.
They've never been alone, after getting a radiophone.
The bluebells are ringing for Sweetmeal Sam, real ham,
handing out bread and jam just like any picnic.
It's 5-4 on William Wright; he made his pile on Derby night.
When Billy was a kid, walking the streets,
the other kids hid - so they did!
Now, after working hard in security trade, he's got it made.
The shops that need aid are those that haven't paid.
"I do my double-show quick!" said Mick the Prick, fresh out the nick.
"I sell cheap holiday. The minute they leave,
then a visit I pay - and does it pay!"
And his friend, Liquid Len by name,
of Wine, Women and Wandsworth fame,
said "I'm breaking the legs of the bastard that got me framed!"
They called me the Reverend when I entered the Church unstained;
my employers have changed but the name has remained.
It all began when I went on a tour,
hoping to find some furniture.
I followed a sign - it said "Beautiful Chest".
It led to a lady who showed me her best.
She was taken by surprise when I quickly closed my eyes.
So she rang the bell, and quick as hell
Bob the Nob came out on his job
to see what the trouble was.
"Louise, is the Reverend hard to please?"
"You're telling me!"
"Perhaps, sir, if it's not too late.
we could interest you in our Staffordshire plate?"
"Oh no, not me, I'm a man of repute."
But the Devil caught hold of my soul and a voice called out "Shoot!"
To save my steeple, I visited people;
for this I'd gone when I met Little John.
His name came, I understood,
when the judge said "You're a robbing hood."
He told me of his strange foundation,
conceived on sight of the Woodstock nation;
he'd had to hide his reputation.
When poor, 'twas salvation from door to door.
But now, with a pin-up guru every week,
it's Love, Peace & Truth Incorporated for all who seek.
He employed me as a karmacanic, with overall charms.
His hands were then fit to receive, receive alms.
That's why we're in
the Battle of Epping Forest,
it's the Battle of Epping Forest,
right outside your door.
We guard your souls for peanuts,
and we guard your shops and houses
for just a little more.
In with a left hook is the Bethnal Green Butcher,
but he's countered on the right by Mick's chain-gang fight,
and Liquid Len, with his smashed bottle men,
is lobbing Bob the Nob across the gob.
With his kissar in a mess, Bob seems under stress,
but Jones the Jug hits Len right in the mug;
and Harold Demure, who's still not quite sure,
fires acorns from out of his sling.
(Here come the cavalry!)
Up, up above the crowd,
inside their Silver Cloud, done proud,
the bold and brazen brass, seen darkly through the glass.
The butler's got jam on his Rolls; Roy doles out the lot,
with tea from a silver pot just like any picnic.
Along the Forest Road, it's the end of the day
and the Clouds roll away.
Each has got its load - they'll come out for the count
at the break-in of day.
When the limos return for their final review, it's all thru'
- all they can see is the morning goo.
"There's no-one left alive - must be draw."
So the Blackcap Barons toss a coin to settle the score.
07 The Cinema Show (11:05)
Home from work our juliet
Clears her morning meal.
She dabs her skin with pretty smells
Concealing to appeal.
I will make my bed,
She said, but turned to go.
Can she be late for her cinema show?
Romeo locks his basement flat,
And scurries up the stair.
With head held high and floral tie,
A weekend millionaire.
I will make my bed
With her tonight, he cries.
Can he fail armed with his chocolate surprise?
Take a little trip back with father tiresias,
Listen to the old one speak of all he has lived through.
I have crossed between the poles, for me there's no mystery.
Once a man, like the sea I raged,
Once a woman, like the earth I gave.
But there is in fact more earth than sea.
Take a little trip back with father tiresias,
Listen to the old one speak of all he has lived through.
I have crossed between the poles, for me there's no mystery.
Once a man, like the sea I raged,
Once a woman, like the earth I gave.
But there is in fact more earth than sea.
08 Aisle of Plenty (01:32)
"I don't belong here", said old Tessa out loud.
"Easy, love, there's the Safe Way Home."
- thankful for her Fine Fair discount, Tess Co-operates
Still alone in o-hell-o
- see the deadly nightshade grow
ENGLISH RIBS OF BEEF CUT DOWN TO 47p LB
PEEK FREANS FAMILY ASSORTED FROM 17 1/2 to 12
FAIRY LIQUID GIANT - SLASHED FROM 20p TO 17 1/2
TABLE JELLYS AT 4p EACH
ANCHOR BUTTER DOWN TO 11p FOR A 1/2
BIRDS EYE DAIRY CREAM SPONGE ON OFFER THIS WEEK.
It's Scrambled Eggs.
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Other reviews
By Dario Pierini
The piano intro alone is worth the price of the record.
The unmistakable dreamy and romantic atmosphere, with a medieval and baroque flavor, makes them at once so modern and ancient, so innovative and tied to tradition.
By rebel1
The history of music will never be able to forget pieces like "Dancing With The Moonlit Knight" and "Firth Of Fifth."
Undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary albums of the immense Genesis (clearly, with the presence of Gabriel and Hackett).
By Breus
"Selling England" unfolds like a fable-like and epic fresco between the unifaun and the Queen of May Be, singing the fate of a land that has become prey to commerce and lost its nobler ambitions.
"The Cinema Show" remains the most spontaneous and authentic testament of their original group career, with a succession of phrases that engage all the musicians without ever detaching from the typical style.
By lukather88
"Selling England By The Pound is an extraordinary album that perfectly represents progressive rock alongside King Crimson and Yes."
"Hackett’s guitar solo on 'Firth Of Fifth' is a gem perhaps unparalleled in progressive rock, leaving one enchanted and lulled into a dreamlike dimension."
By XBend
"53 minutes of real delight, of pure art exposed by those who know how to do art well."
"It marks the absolute consecration of the group that had already made waves with monumental works."
