Product Description

If one had to pare the prog-rock story down to a handful ofessential albums, this would undoubtedly be one of them. SELLING ENGLAND BY THE POUND was the culmination of all that Genesis had been striving for since their late-'60s inception, the refinement of the vision that developed on TRESPASS, NURSERY CRYME, and FOXTROT (somewhere in the world, there's been a second-wave prog outfit named after every one of thesealbums). The fusion of a complex classical mind with an electrified rock heart and pastoral folk spirit defined Genesis' anatomy, and never more effectively than on SELLING ENGLAND.
Peter Gabriel's startlingly unpretentious tale-spinning is at its best on "The Battle of Epping Forest". Tony Banks's elegant, sophisticated keyboard work is a vital element of nearly every tune, and the electric/acoustic guitar tapestry woven by Steve Hackett and Mike Rutherford is the perfect icing on the cake. Somewhat anomalous but entirely welcomeis the Gabriel-era band's catchiest, quirkiest song "I KnowWhat I Like (In Your Wardrobe)", the tale of a somewhat daft gardener. Phil Collins's lead vocal on the gorgeous acoustic ballad "More Fool Me" paints the shape of things to come.If you only buy one Genesis album, make it this one.

Track Listing

1. Dancing With The Moonlit Knight
2. I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)
3. Firth Of Fifth
4. More Fool Me
5. Battle Of Epping Forest
6. After The Ordeal
7. Cinema Show
8. Aisle Of Plenty

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3897 in Music
• Released on: 1994-08-15
• Number of discs: 1

Customer Reviews

The Smell of Freshly Mown Grass that Pervades Our Hairy Nostrils
I doubt Selling England will ever be beaten, It is the best album ever released. Even within the context of the prog rock era it was unique, it's bizarre eccentricity and Englishness (Britishness?) captured a very brief moment in time that was all too quickly gone.
Music as it should be- great musicians, multi layered, great variety and depth, astonishingly creative, wonderful images- and Gabriel at his most compellingly enigmatic.

Beautiful music, beautifully produced
This record is SO well recorded, it's hard to convey in words. The sounds of the acoustic folk guitars, Banks's grand piano, Rutherford's Rickenbacker bass and Collins's jazz drums - the balance and clarity and warmth, coupled with strong rhythmic dynamics, achieved by producer John Burns is something to behold.

The music itself is excellently performed by all - this is a band at the top of their form.

Buy the 1994 definitive remaster issue while you still can, as it is soon to be deleted (once the remix is released in the next few months). One thing you can be certain of - this version cannot be bettered. The remix WILL be more compressed (all the other remixes so far released have suffered this fate). That is unfortunately the current fashion. So get the last issue before it is too late.

Probably their best
Mike Rutherford once wrote that 'Genesis never had a definitive album' - I think he is wrong and I think this is it. It is now well over 30 years since it was released but it still sounds fresh and original and highlights a band at the peak of their writing and playing powers.

I suspect some of the lyrics mean little if you are not of the same vintage but this should not distract from the excellent quality of the album. 'Dancing with the Moonlit Knight' is a superb opener with top quality vocals from Peter Gabriel and although 'I Know What I Like' is not my favourite Genesis track it is a truly original song. My personal Genesis favourite follows - 'Firth of Fifth' has everything from clear vocals to superb solos on flute, keyboard and, of course, the magnificent guitar solo from Steve Hackett - brilliant! 'More Fool Me' has Phil Collins on vocal in a very pleasant 'love' song. 'The Battle of Epping Forest' is perhaps a bit over-long but it has some excellent moments lyrically and musically. 'After the Ordeal' probably doesn't get the credit it deserves as it tends to get lost as the superb 'Cinema Show' takes flight. What can you say about the keyboard skills shown by Tony Banks on this classic track. 'Aisle of Plenty' with its very 70's lyrics closes the album.

What often gets forgotten on this album with its top quality soloing is the importance of the rhythm section and Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins are the driving force which keeps the tracks together and allows the guitar and keyboards to take centre stage.

Overall this is a great album and if you are thinking of buying an 'early' Genesis album this is as good as any