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Rating:
I chose this great album for my first review because I know it quite well and have known it for a long time, and also because it is one of my favorite albums.
Fifth studio album for one of the best Progressive Rock formations ever: Genesis. Many define "Selling England By The Pound" as the best Genesis album, and I fully agree; released in 1973, it marks the absolute consecration of the group that had already made waves with other monumental works like "Foxtrot," "Nursery Cryme," and "Trespass."
"Selling England By The Pound" presents itself with a more innovative sound, an absolutely fresher composition style where the commitment, originality, and consistency of the five musicians who composed it can be glimpsed.
It is precisely Peter Gabriel who is entrusted with the album's opening in the first track: "Dancing With The Moonlit Knight," a solemn, declamatory, expressive opening to which the elegant notes of Steve Hackett soon add, announcing the album's theme, the piano arpeggios of the great Tony Banks, a few flute notes to give a supreme touch, and then Phil Collins' roll, which gives the impetus for a vigorous entry of the entire quintet. An unleashed rhythm with a Phil Collins in great shape who doesn't limit himself to normal patterns, the vocals become even more solemn and declamatory, alternation of solos between keyboard and guitar, well-thought-out bass lines: all of this constitutes an excellent opening to this outstanding album.
Psychedelic intro and then: "It’s One O'Clock And Time For Lunch, (On Di Don Di Don) / When The Sun Beats Down And I Lie On The Bench / I Can Always Hear Them Talk" and one of the most famous pieces of this incredible formation starts: "I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)" performed in almost every concert since 1973. The rhythm becomes simpler compared to the previous track, but the energy that Genesis wanted to impart is not lacking.
But let’s move on to one of the most famous tracks in Progressive Rock in general: "Firth of Fifth," whose riff is introduced by an exceptional Tony Banks on piano who meticulously studied perfect parts for both the right and left hand. The track continues with a sharp entry of all instruments; then a very calm instrumental part on flute, where Peter Gabriel shows his skill; then a crescendo of piano and the return to the initial riff exposed in grand style by the whole band where Phil Collins studies crazy timings. After the riff, it moves to one of the most beautiful and famous solos of Steve Hackett who, as usual, knows how to delight the listener with his notes and exquisite passages. A very interesting and, in my opinion, more exciting version was performed at the 1977 concert, a double album titled "Seconds Out."
In the next piece, "More Fool Me," we find a surprise: Phil Collins on vocals. Perhaps it's the first time in history we hear Phil Collins sing a song in its entirety. It's an acoustic piece performed with acoustic guitar and voice. Our Phil already shows his talent as a singer, for which he will become famous both as the future singer of Genesis and as a solo artist. He opts for a sweet singing, sometimes resorting to falsetto, other times to full voice in the high notes, taking ample time, without following a true metronomic rhythm.
It's time to talk about perhaps the craziest and most difficult piece in the history of Genesis: "The Battle of Epping Forest" which stands out right from the start with a snare drum and flute crescendo entry to perhaps give the idea of a band performing a military march. Another sharp entry, 7/8 time, maintained with absurd rhythms on the keyboard, bass, and drums. At first listening, it’s impossible to understand the time and flow because there are numerous speed changes. Excellent synth solo (which could remind one of a French horn or even a Baritone horn) by Tony Banks, very engaging. The lyrics talk about a battle in the Epping Forest (a journalistic crime story) where two rival gangs clashed because they couldn’t agree on a territory boundary. Peter Gabriel tells this story, describing it in a ghastly manner as if it were a civil war.
After this forest battle, it calms down a bit to give space to the epic instrumental track titled "After The Ordeal." It starts with piano and ends with a magnificent guitar solo, to which a flute line perfectly intertwines with the rest. Absolutely worth listening to. The calm doesn't last long because right after, there’s another very important piece in the history of Progressive Rock: "The Cinema Show," a suite of 11 minutes and 6 seconds. The beginning is acoustic, calm but it's just a prelude to what will happen in the middle and final phase of this magnificent piece. The initial guitar arpeggio is really beautiful, Peter Gabriel remains always solemn and declamatory (as throughout the album, after all). After the whole band comes in, it stops again with an acoustic minor phase, a darker phase, which gives a sense of suspension, as if to represent “the calm before the storm”; a few flute notes make us seem to be in a limbo but then comes a chorus with voice and counter-voice, perhaps the most beautiful choral duet in the entire Genesis career, which leads us to the central phase of the piece, a phase where each member plays their instrument at the limits of the imaginable: Tony Banks launches incredible solos, Phil Collins dictates the time with great mastery, then reaching the major key theme of this piece which is played first softly, then louder; it returns to the minor mode with other stunning solos always by Tony Banks where the rhythm becomes increasingly strong and difficult, shortly after Steve Hackett joins, at the end duetting with the keyboards until remaining alone with a rather calm arpeggio introducing "Aisle of Plenty," the last track of this album, where Gabriel shows us for the last time the general theme of this album, continued by a leading Hackett, a rhythm almost in the background of bass-drums and a light synth accompanying everything to the complete fade out that closes this absolute masterpiece.
53 minutes of real delight, of pure art exposed by those who know how to do art well. My rating is 5 stars out of 5. It's an album that all Progressive Rock enthusiasts absolutely must listen to.Tracklist Lyrics and Samples
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 SydBarrett96
"Selling England by The Pound remains and will forever remain the Masterpiece."
"Consolidates them as a legendary band in the rock Olympus. Immense, deep, intense."
