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Rating: The Genesis have rightfully secured their place in music history after solidifying their lineup in 1971 with the arrivals of guitarist Steve Hackett and drummer Phil Collins, and releasing with the new lineup the album of maturation, "Nursery Crime" (1971), and that of consecration, namely that masterpiece called "Foxtrot" (1972), and the release of "Genesis Live" (1973), which captures the perfection of the group's live performances, although it doesn't capture the atmosphere created by Peter Gabriel's legendary stage antics and costumes.
When everyone believes the band has reached its compositional peak, the five wizards of progressive rock, to everyone's surprise, demonstrate that they are a perfectly coordinated and boundless musical machine, bringing forth "Selling England By The Pound," an extraordinary album that perfectly represents progressive rock in an ideal trio along with "In The Court Of The Crimson King" (1969) by King Crimson and "Close To The Edge" (1972) by Yes. Every band aspiring to seriously create progressive rock (and not only...) will certainly have listened to this musical gospel, the product of five genius minds, with Gabriel wild in his wordplay, Banks, Hackett, and Collins in a state of grace, and Rutherford as a worthy accompanist.
The opening is dedicated to the masterpiece that is "Dancing With The Moonlight Knight", which begins the album with Gabriel's delicate and sweet voice singing "Can you tell me where the country lies...", to then introduce in sequence Hackett's guitar, Banks' relentless and then gentle piano, Rutherford's bass and second guitar, and the drums of an extraordinary Collins, for a musical paradise evolving in an almost Rossinian crescendo. The best Genesis articulate this according to the theory that every action corresponds to a reaction, responding for example to the guitar with the snare drum and to the bass with the piano, moving until the voice steps aside to make room for a rapid instrumental ride that proudly showcases the great trio Banks - Hackett - Collins, to then reintroduce Gabriel in an almost biblical atmosphere that oozes omnipotence, with the voice of the showman framing it in a unique and unrepeatable musical setting, before riding again the fantastic trio and surrendering to a calmness and sweetness with Gabriel's beautiful flute melody introducing the "false closure" by Hackett and Rutherford's guitars. "I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)" is the first "pop song" in Genesis' history, in which Gabriel enjoys playing on a rather simple musical plot with his extravagant lyrics.
"Firth Of Fifth" is one of the bibles of progressive rock, with an unforgettable intro by an inspired Banks on the piano, introducing the other instruments and Gabriel's voice that cradles the listener in this forest of extraordinary musical inspiration, only to display an instrumental fugue that is first relaxing, then intensifying and reintroducing the initial theme this time on keyboards, which even manages to be eclipsed by the best Collins ever, transformed into an actual war machine behind his Pearl, culminating in Hackett's solo, a guitar gem perhaps unparalleled in progressive rock, leaving one enchanted listening, praying it never ends, lulled into a dreamlike dimension, until Gabriel reclaims the stage and concludes the piece as he began it, perhaps to the listener's dismay.... "More Fool Me" is Collins' second attempt as a singer, in a piece that exudes calm, gently accompanied by Banks and Hackett, without great pretensions, but perfectly embedded in that list of wonders that is the tracklist.
You are introduced by Collins' roll and Banks' keyboards in "The Battle Of Epping Forest", where Gabriel brings his ravings to life, with one of the most complex and well-articulated musical fabrics in the quintet's history: after the instrumental intro, Gabriel introduces us to a fairy-tale world characterized by rapid instrumental evolutions, with Gabriel flooding them with texts singing the chorus with an almost mad intonation, leaving space for the beautiful inventions of Hackett and Banks, which Rutherford accompanies with a good bass line while Collins delights with inventions first on the hi-hat, then with hi-hat and bass drum, and finally with one of his impossible tempos, for one of the most successful pieces of his career and that of the group, keeping listeners from half the world glued to the stereo, until changing gear with an almost beat influence and reprising their tested and approved crescendo structure, concluding the piece with instruments literally marching like soldiers in battle.
"After The Ordeal" has a warmer and more medieval tone compared to the rest of the work, with a beautiful piano and guitar introduction, with Collins' drums limited to accompaniment and Rutherford following in a hugely successful instrumental piece of the album. "The Cinema Show" is yet another pearl, introduced by a guitar with cold tones, which instill "pessimism," to lead to perhaps the most homogeneous piece on the album, heavily played on Gabriel's text, with the instruments occasionally granting themselves some flashes as shy protagonists, this time leaving room for the showman. The stroke of genius arrives by reprising at the end the theme that closed "Dancing With The Moonlight Knight" and reprising it in the 1:20 of the concluding "Aisle Of Plenty," as if to enclose the album in a magical circle that never breaks, inducing the listener to start listening again, something many probably have done and still do with infinite pleasure and with tears in their eyes, for having just listened to what is undoubtedly one of the greatest masterpieces in music history.
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 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."
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."
