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Rating: "Selling England by The Pound": a fairy tale with arcane touches, a picturesque tale, a regal painting; everyone loves to judge this work as they wish, but it remains and will forever remain the Masterpiece. Just looking at the cover is enough to immerse ourselves in the atmosphere, or perhaps not. We are in a garden, where there is a man lying on a bench, surrounded further down by women and seemingly high-born characters. This image may seem quite banal to us, but it contains many meanings, like the irony about England at that time, so different from how we imagine it... and now you'll ask me: but what do you know? Well, let's start from this concept: turn on the stereo and you will hear a verse that goes:
"Can you tell me where my country lies?"
Perhaps you did not fully understand my speech, but let us be lulled by the delicate harmonies of the album to begin our journey...
Historical context
Genesis arrived in 1973 with already three albums under their belt, famous throughout Europe and mostly led by the flamboyant Peter Gabriel at the height of his abilities: from the combination of Foxtrot and Nursery Cryme, this album was born, which would become one of the most influential in the history of progressive. In some passages critical of the society of the time, it is definitely a milestone.
The album
Let's go back to where we left off.. the verse I mentioned to you earlier is part of the first track of the album, the magnificent and solemn "Dancing With the Moonlit Knight", perhaps the most beautiful of the record. Chilling is Gabriel's dry voice at the beginning, which gradually becomes harsher and more acidic towards England, alluding to characters like the Queen of Maybe, the "Old Father Thames," and Britannia, a character played by Peter himself, whose extravagant performances highlighted his great theatrical talent. In the track, there is then a powerful "Hackettian" solo, followed by delicate melodies, which transform into a strange noise... "I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)" is a funny and amusing song lasting only 4 minutes, the only single released from the album. The song itself is a kind of ballad with exotic and psychedelic sounds, while the lyrics talk about a loafer who needs to find a job. Next is the more complex "Firth of Fifth", noted for its very complex introduction for piano in terms of harmony, rhythm, and melody. Fantastic is also the long instrumental interlude, composed of three solos: the first, performed by Gabriel on the flute, followed by a solo by Tony Banks on the keyboard, which partly reprises the opening theme, and finally Hackett's on the guitar, used masterfully in one of the most beautiful solos in music history. A masterpiece track.
We meet Phil Collins on vocals with the simple yet intense "More Fool Me", a voice and guitar ballad; a great piece, in this case, the drummer's subtle voice fits perfectly with the rest of the song, even though Peter Gabriel's voice remains superior. "The Battle of Epping Forest" is a return to the past, to the fairy-tale atmospheres of "Nursery Cryme." Already declared in its title as an explicit anti-war song, here too, the harmonies and melodies are very refined (even if apparently more "direct"), a sign of the band's great maturity acquired over the years. "After the Ordeal" is, instead, a composition born entirely from Steve Hackett’s genius. According to Banks, both he and Peter Gabriel were against including this track in the album and had many disputes with the guitarist, who eventually prevailed. For this reason and for the group's continuous disdain for his compositions, Steve decided to leave the band four years later. The seventh track of the album is "The Cinema Show", the quintessential track. The lyrics combine the story of two lovers (Romeo & Juliet), eager to spend an evening at the cinema. The song is composed of two sections: the first is dominated by soft guitar arpeggios and flute, accompanied by PG's voice, while the second is completely instrumental and is dominated by a long solo by Tony Banks, making it more electric and lively. The notes gradually flow into the original theme of the album (that of "Dancing With the Moonlit Knight") to then introduce "Aisle of Plenty", which concludes what would be the best-selling album of the Gabriel era.
Conclusions
The album that consecrates them to being a legendary band in the rock Olympus. The sound is much more refined and manages to seamlessly merge the balances that support the tracks, the musical sound, and the expressive freedom of the individual members. Three words: immense, deep, intense.
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."
