Selling England By The Pound

This is a tough one for me. Not the rating - that's a five, easy. It's tough because I'm trying to listen to this the same way I'm listening to the other 1001 albums, even though I'm a huge fan and I've listened to this album easily 100 times. But, when I think back to my original impressions, I found early Genesis difficult to get into, unlike other early prog bands like King Crimson and Yes. There always seemed to be something a little "off" about early Genesis. They'd mix a surprisingly hard edge with songs that referred to things like "unifauns" and "lily fair." Or, some of the sounds are dated: Hackett's guitar often sounds muffled to me and some of the synth sounds are dated. But their music is the proverbial onion...peel it back and you find layer upon layer (it doesn't make me cry, but there are moments like the middle of Steve Hackett's solo in Firth of Fifth that always give me chills. Their album Foxtrot is not in the 1001 albums or I'd be saying the same about the end of Supper's Ready. Heck, I'd be writing a book about Supper's Ready). What's more is this music is many times better live than recorded. I've seen latter day Genesis play the instrumental parts of Firth of Fifth and Cinema Show. I've seen Steve Hackett and his band play many of these songs. Both are amazing. For a more "historic" version, go see the cover band "The Musical Box" who play an amazing version of the early band that even the band members acknowledge is authentic. So, my listen of this album is colored by my knowledge of just how good it CAN sound. The fact is: this music is amazing. Firth of Fifth is a rock symphony with one of my favorite melodic guitar solos of all time. Dancing with the Moonlit Knight starts with Peter Gabriel a capella and turns into a musical tour de force around 2:25 (listen for Steve Hackett's tapping solo, something he was doing years before Eddie Van Halen made it famous). Listen to Phil Collins' drumming throughout the album - while most people know him from the 80s (with most thinking of the gated reverb fill from In the Air Tonight), this album showcases why he was one of the most in demand session drummers of the 70s and 80s. The man is doing 50 things at once and if you've ever seen video of him playing, you know he looks relaxed as can be. Mike Rutherford lays down backing guitars and excellent driving bass lines throughout much of the album. And then there's Tony Banks, the man who later sticks to "happy chords" and "sad chords" droning over simple hit songs. Listen to his keyboard playing on this album and other early Genesis albums. His solo at the end of The Cinema Show mixes the best of melody and speed and shows he belongs in the conversation of "who is the best prog keyboardist?" Other great examples - everything he plays on Firth of Fifth, the keyboards in Supper's Ready and Watcher of the Skies (sorry, annoyed that Foxtrot isn't in the 1001). For me, the main weak spot on this album is The Battle of Epping Forest. Even after all those listens it still doesn't do much for me, plus it's too long (I don't have a problem with long songs...again, I wish I could write about Supper's Ready!). Bottom line, this is an outstanding band at its best. After one more album, they lose Peter Gabriel. Two more albums after that, they lose Steve Hackett. Then the band starts to become the Genesis most people know. Don't get me wrong - I like that Genesis also. But this Genesis was a prog giant. To those listening to this for the first time, keep listening and unpeel this onion. It's worth it.

Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, and a slew of Hall-of-Fame-worthy musicians in the prog band that launched them all to stardom produced a singularly weird and schizophrenic record even for prog. From track one, this thing is a wandering mess. Maybe that's why I found myself mostly ignoring it. The lack of a consistent through-line within a single song made my brain just sort of shut off.

Utter shit

I have a real soft spot for this kind of wanky 70s prog. It's overblown, nerdy and insists upon itself but somehow rather than hate it I absolutely love it. Could listen to this style all day in the background at work (and have many times). Actually, I'll probably spend the rest of the day listening to prog. 5/5.

Have you ever wondered what would happen if Peter Gabriel read the Canterbury Tales and T.S. Eliot over and over? Prog Rock. Prog rock happens. Why do I love prog rock so much? Is it how it feels cinematic? Like there's a camera panning around an open vista in your mind. Is it the wizards? The offbeat references and inscrutable lyrics? All I know is that this is gorgeous. Plus you can never go wrong with Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins (whose drumming is legend tier and essential to this album's flow) and Mike "and the mechanics" Rutherford. These guys are no damn joke. It's not often a supergroup exists before any of its members become famous. I might just need to listen to more genesis.

So here's the thing... After about 2 minutes of the opening track, I was convinced this would be a 1. It was so annoying and pompous and self-important, and this did continue throughout the album. But, despite Peter Gabriel doing my head in for the full hour, everything else was admittedly pretty damn good. The drums were interesting, there's lot going on instrumentally and dynamically, and the songs move through various interesting and versatile sections. I feel anything below a 2 or lower would be unfair on that side of things, but to be honest, the lyrics and posturing annoyed me enough that this 3 feels generous in some respect. Still, props to the rest of the band for pulling it out of the bag - there is some genuinely great stuff here. It's just a shame it's so oversaturated

A load of proggy old bollocks

Self-indulgent shite

I hated almost every second, all the medieval rubbish especially. A complete mess

In the beginning, God created this album. It was shit.

Between the unifaun’s opening plea and the “English ribs of beef” fade-out, it’s become impossible for me to look at this one objectively. It’s been a favourite for many years, since before I’d heard 95% of albums on this list and knew who many of the most popular artists were. So it’s interesting reading people’s thoughts upon hearing it for the first time in this kind of context, between Fugees, Nirvana and Radiohead. “What is the not-Phil one bleating on about?” “Did they honestly think those synth patches wouldn’t date by 2022?” “Does Tony Banks have to be so unbearably middle-class to open “Firth of Fifth” wanking out a classical piano piece?” “And why does it all have to be so ball-achingly long?” I’m so familiar with “Selling England by the Pound” that none of its ridiculous proggy nonsense feels jarring, strange, corny or ham-fisted. Every switch to an odd time signature, every lyric referencing medieval England, Greek mythology, 70s supermarkets or Epping Forest, every abrupt tempo change or indulgent solo, feels as natural and comfortable as it remains bold and exciting. This album feels like home. Four monster tracks trade places with (relatively) short interludes as the album unfolds. “Dancing with the Moonlit Knight” is prog-rock wizardry distilled: everything about it works perfectly and the modulation to major key during the guitar solo is icing on the cake. “I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)” is catchy sing-along joy. “More Fool Me”, which I used to write off as the Phil Collins pop throwaway, is a graceful palate cleanser between epics. “The Battle of Epping Forest”, which most of the band disliked for having too many wordy lyrics crowbarred in, is a tour de force of storytelling, rich with detail, character and humour (the “Reverend” section alone is worth the price of admission). And “The Cinema Show” just keeps getting more and more orgasmic with every new phrase in its behemoth keyboard solo. Musically, it’s a masterclass in almost every instrument. Guitarists should study Hackett’s smooth, melodic and dramatic guitar solos (flashy tapping when the song requires it, but all taste, style and grace in the instrumental “After the Ordeal”). Vocalists (and pantomime performers) should revel in Gabriel’s theatrical delivery. Keyboard players have the “Firth of Fifth” intro and the breathtaking “Cinema Show” solo to practice for the rest of their lives. Bassists and drummers should listen to… all of it. A perfect rhythm section. But while the technique is there, it’s in no way a substitute for soul, passion or emotion. Hackett’s wailing, bombastic reprise of the flute in “Firth of Fifth”. Gabriel’s isolated vocal at the opening, increasing in gravity over the next couple of verses. Once again, the light and shade in “The Cinema Show”’s solo (yes, yes, it’s one of my favourite bits). There’s so much to unpack, but those who make the effort will be rewarded with an evergreen symphony of sound. I tried as hard as I could to listen with fresh ears, imagining how “Selling England by the Pound” might sound if I’d been brought up on punk, new wave or pop. I was still thrilled by it: either I’m biased or it really is one of the best of all time.

First off the opener at around 1:20 is definitely a "lo-fi hip-hop chill beats to study and relax to" break down so that got me pretty hype. Second off, I'm not really a big prog rock fan so it was kind of downhill from there. I would not say this album was a total wash though because some of those synth sounds are so sick and I very much love big retro synth sound. I think my problem with this album's particular style of prog rock is that the songs get so epic and huge so quickly and then we've still got like 10 minutes to go of these sweeping guitar licks and I just get listener fatigue real quick, which made me start losing interest in the fantasy whimsy of the lyrics. Not for me, but Phil Collins rules.

Firth of Fifth has to be one of the best prog rock songs of all time. Now listening to the entire album for the first time in quite a while, I can confirm again it is brilliant from start to finish.

Absolutely bloody brilliant. Best album so far (over 500 albums in). This might even be better than 'The Lamb..' Superb musicianship, wonderful songwriting, and Peter Gabriel. I'll take this to my desert island, please.

I knew that Genesis had changed their style throughout the years but I didn't realize how much they were prog rock early on. Gabriel's lyrics are strange (they always are) but refreshing - they force you to listen and think. The musical arrangements are at times sweet and serene and then other times heavy and pulsating (maybe too electro piano/synth heavy). I enjoyed Dancing with the Moonlit Knight but I didn't get the popularity of Firth of Fifth - it's a fine song and I enjoyed the piano and flute work, beyond that I wasn't all that fired up. Of the long songs, I liked the Battle of Epping Forest a lot more (weird and wonderful). And I loved the Cinema Show - just a unique, magical 10+ minute musical journey. More Fool Me isn't bad but feels like it belongs on a different album (start of it blends nicely into Firth of Fifth then lyrics and music go a slightly different direction). It doesn't have the same seamless fit as After the Ordeal and Aisle of Plenty, and I realize the former wasn't wanted on the album at first. I think that says something about the former (it is beautiful). Prog rock isn't my scene but this album is quite good. I wonder what it was like listening to it on a good acid trip.

Great Album

What musicianship! This is prog rock and a level of sophistication I haven’t heard yet, while incorporating sounds far ahead of their time. Great album!

This was very odd, but I loved it. Only really familiar with the poppy "We Can't Dance" or "Invisible Touch" type Genesis. I was definitely not prepared for a psychedelic romp through the English countryside. It was a well-appreciated detour!

There are a lot of progressive rock fans that hail the Lamb as the high point of the early era of Genesis but I think this album is. I love side one so much that for years I never gave side 2 a proper listen. This was dumb on my part. Side 2 has Cinema Show which might be the best song on the album after Firth of Fifth. Battle of Epping forest is a funny song about 2 rival gangs with some great lyrical wordplay. After the Ordeal is a beautiful instrumental written by Steve Hackett (which both bank Tony Banks and Peter Gabriel didn't want on the album). It was the first time Hackett played a nylon string guitar on a Genesis album and it strongly hints at the sound and style that his future solo albums would have. Aisle of Plenty closes side two and repeats the melody of the album's opening track. A great way to close a great album.

Incredible music, sometimes weird, often haunting... And the lyrics tell a really interesting tale. The whole album has an experimental feel, which often appeals to me. Easy five-star rating.

Great prog rock album with some folky/medival sounding melodies

Let’s see: I’ve reviewed ELP. I’ve reviewed King Crimson. I’ve now reviewed Genesis. Looks the Generator is saving the best for last…Yes. If this was Foxtrot, it’d be an easy 5 star review. Selling England by the Pound, on the other hand…well, it has its moments, like “Dancing with the Moonlit Knight” (a high water mark in the Genesis catalog, imo), but the ornate theatricality that plagues my enjoyment of “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway” is beginning to creep in and I’m starting to tune out by the halfway point on this record. Congratulations are due to Genesis, however: “The Firth of Fifth” might take the prize for most unwieldy song title to ever grace a record sleeve. The song itself is pretty great, though. One final observation while listening, Peter Gabriel’s influence on the vocal stylings of Robert Pollard of Guided by Voices has never been more evident to me than while listening to this record. (Hint, Hint Generator: recommend Alien Lanes for me)

I quite enjoyed the beginning of this album but it did drag on in 70s prog fashion in bits.

That 70s English prog rock sound. As I observed in classic Rush from prior reviews, there's a fundamental silliness about some of it, but it's not boring, and set in a lush ass sonic landscape.

This stuff is majestic. It's expansive, fun, campy, intricate, with great performances. Maybe their peak, The Battle of Epping Forest can be a little long and maybeee just a smidge over the top tho. Firth of Fifth is absolutely perfect, best chords, best piano riff, best guitar solo, best flute solo. I Know What I Like is the best pop song ever.

Really enjoyed this one - interesting to see early prog prog which I don't often listen to. Clearly see the influence on more modern prog I do like. Blending track by track of old medieval sounds, with synthesizers of the 70s made for real interesting sound. I specifically found myself finding this album sounding a lot like the risk of rain soundtrack at times. Interesting to learn about the americanization of england themes, but did not follow lyrics as closely as music.

I wasn't a fan of the abrupt start but the rest grew on me. Of course it did it's an awesome proggy mess. Stand-out: Aisle of Plenty

That was a wild ride. I can only imagine gettin’ ripped on whatever and throwing this on and feelin good.

Definitely good but just missed the 5 star mark. Some things I have strife with such as the sound and some songs feeling off. Banger tho

I am here for this opening track! THIS IS SUCH A FUN DREAMY PROG ROCK ALBUM!

No. 230/1001 Dancing With The Moonlit Knight 3/5 (2x) I Know What I Like 4/5 Firth of Fifth 3/5 (2x) More Fool Me 4/5 The Battle of Epping Forrest 3/5 (2x) After The Ordeal 3/5 The Cinema Show 3/5 (2x) Aisle of Plenty 3/5 Average: 3,17 Interesting prog-rock album. Just not my personal favorite.

I got high and now I can’t remember anything about this so I guess it was mid

Progrock mit einigen spannenden Ansätzen aber gleichzeitig wenig was wirklich überzeugt. Klanglich etwas brav und lyrische Aspekte gehen im ersten hören etwas unter. 3,5

Sounds like the music played on a carousel ride while the horses go up and down. This album is cheesy, no wonder Peter Gabriel split to do his own thing.

Phil Collins' voice grates on me as does Peter Gabriel's sometimes. Tough to listen to.

I was listening and thinking why I don't really like this band and had a revelation. All the music sounds like it was composed against a strict metronome. Yes there are tempo/meter changes, but you can easily identify when the metronome was increased or decreased. I guess Phill Collins or someone was a rhythm dictator. I found myself feeling claustraphobic. Also, there's so much going on, new sounds coming and going. I had to stop because I felt like I needed to go somewhere else and breathe. I can hear that the musicianship is great, but it just doesn't work for me. I didn't finish this album. Ah well...

I thought liking YES would open me up for this but I‘m closed as the legs of a nun. Undigestible muzak

I can’t stand this album. You can credit the 11 minute song on this album for ushering in Punk. Bloated meandering mess from an era of middling overlong musical wankfests.

The song "After The Ordeal" was how I felt whilst listening to this.

Not today Prog Rock, not today. The Battle of Epping Forest has me slightly intrigued. But still, no.

I was never a fan of Genesis, and here is a great reason why. Let's make bad songs last 9 minutes.

Lengthy prog rock and I'm for it!

Excellent album and massively influential for a lot of my favorite bands. Top-notch level of musicianship and ambition. I fucking love Genesis.

God I wish I still did drugs

Un de mes albums prefere au monde. Ecoute un cinquantiane de fois 5*

Classic prog album, one of my favorite album of all time. For me this is a perfect album, with incredible instrumental work, especially from Tony Banks and Steve Hackett.

When Genesis was in its earlier progressive rock days with Peter Gabriel still lead singer, the music had a mythological feeling, a walk between the “sacred and the profane” and a dark wit. It was before my time, but it must have been great to catch their live performances which had theatrical elements, costumes and makeup etc. In fact, “More the Fool Me” almost feels like an intermission in a play, with Collins on vocals for this one, and I can almost imagine Gabriel is backstage changing costumes. It’s a fine enough song, but it’s the only one that feels out of flow with the rest of the album. Written and sung by Collins, it seems to me to foreshadow the more romance centered pop music Genesis would put out after Gabriel left for his solo career. The earlier prog rock days are my preferred time for Genesis, and this is a great album I’m glad is on the list. Along with it I’d recommend “Foxtrot” and “The Lamb Lies down on Broadway” if more classic Genesis is wanted.

A different side of Genesis that I wasn’t aware of, but I liked it a lot!

oh wow, why is it new to me??

I mean it’s Genesis what do you want me to do give them less than 5? Not in this century bud

Bien vu.

I could listen to members of Genesis sing "Picnic, Picnic, Picnic" for eight hours straight, and it would still be worth it for 'Firth of Fifth' alone.

Imagining a time when this kind of music was not only good but commercially successful blows my mind. I love the virtuosity, the tight arrangements and execution, and the pictures painted by the libretto.

One of the most interesting albums I've ever heard. Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins together was always going to lead to something like this. Favorite track: I Know What I Like

Awesome! Identified potential new portal song

Classic/10

Interesting music. There's narration in between the music to tell you a story. Easy beats to listen to.

Amazing prog album. Definitely deserves a listen for all.

I reallyliked this album, This gave me a a feeling of a very high energy Rush-like album

lyssnade igenom första gången för typ ett år sen och kom ihåg att man blev ganska trött och paff och oj första gången man lyssnade. men nu! nu! Epping forest är wohooo och moonlit knight ojojoj. Lite dippar i kortlåtarna ibland och är inte heeeelt övertygad av cinema show, MEN

Oh Prog Rock, the only genre where I see 10 minute songs and think "Cool!". Also, I didn't expect a band I know for much poppier sounds and members who make, again, much poppier sounds, to make such a banger of a prog album. Each song is super enjoyable and always keeps you invested, long or short. I wasn't expecting to love this album so much but each song brought something to the table I thoroughly enjoyed, and brings you back in pretty quickly if it starts to slip. Shame I got this album today when I just saw a vinyl for it yesterday; would definitely of bought it had I known.

Absolutely tremendous prog epic

Genesis har betytt så mycket för mig sen tonåren, så jag ser såklart det här albumet genom en rosig lins, men i mina ögon är det här kanske fortfarande världens bästa platta. Vilken jävla RESA det är, från den trevande öppningen av Dancing with the Moonlit Knight till det bombastiska avslutet på The Cinema Show, via Firth of Fifth och The Battle of Epping Forest. Det enda jag önskar är att jag inte kunde albumet not för not redan utan fick uppleva det som nytt igen. Skulle dela ut 6 stjärnor om jag kunde.

increíble progresivo

The only way I can explain why I’m not into Yes, but I love this record is: Peter Gabriel.

Selling England By the Pound will probably always feel like a first love to me. I have listened to this countless times, own multiple editions and never grow tired of anything about it. It contains everything I love about the Peter Gabriel-era. Amazing prog-suites in "Dancing With the Moonlit Knight", "Firth of Fifth", "The Cinema Show" and the monster that it "The Battle of Epping Forest". Beautiful classical inspired pieces like "After the Ordeal" and enough British references to scare off almost anyone. This is also Hackett, Rutherford and Collins at the absolute height of their career, delivering one awe-inspiring performance after another. I know many people insist on The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway being the better Genesis record. But they are wrong. Plain and simple.

Long time fave.

Genesis - always cool!

I couldn't put less even if I wanted to

Genoten van deze! Ik wist niet wat te verwachten, maar de niet alledaagse melodieën konden me wel bekoren!

Nice

The theatrical-ness of it (esp. Peter Gabriel) might remind you of Iron Maiden or Kiss or some shit and put you off, but when you realise that they’re much more high-brow, v. well thought out and more tasteful, they become one of the best bands in the world. All masters of their own craft. It’s basically jazz/classical with contemporary instruments. More Led Zeppelin than Led Zeppelin. More Pink Floyd than Pink Floyd. More Beatles than Beatles. Metal before metal, shoegaze before shoegaze. You could have been listening to The Temptations in ‘73. Genesis have a vast discography going in different directions with different members but for me this is peak Genesis. Earlier/later albums might be ‘better’, but dynamically this one hits the sweet spot. One of my favourite albums of all time. Want to go We need to smoke one to this in February. And play catan to the goblin music. FIVE STARS

Firth of fifth

Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Musically rich, ebbs and flows through so many different parts and moods, sometimes folkloric, sometimes killer prog. Dare I say a nearly perfect album even with the hints of arty pretentiousness; it slays. I am completely surprised to say I like it quite a bit more than The Lamb Lies Down… My only critique would be Gabriel’s vocals occasionally are overbearing on the music to me, but I’m still very fond.

Fine, I like Prog Rock. The fans definitely still suck though.

I knew Phil Collins was a great drummer, but sheeeeeesh he is a master on the kit. Elevates what is already great prog rock into a real 5 star album for me.

LP

Lots of conceptual themes going on, this paved the way for a lot of the music that I listen to today. Great prog rock foundation, a little disorienting to first time listeners but this is an album that grows on you over time.

damnnnn. great album through and through. opener is amazing, not a single song is annoying, except maybe the second one, but not to an extreme extent, and the closer (The Cinema Show/Aisle of Plenty) wraps it up really nicely. it always feels shorter than it really is, because it really takes you to a place and brings you home. I would love to give this a 5, but it does feel somewhat bland at times, and is not incredibly memorable on a song by song basis. it feels more like a long soak in this world than different songs that stick with you. high 4.5

Rating: 9,3/10 What is this immediate awesomeness? "Dancing With The Moonlit Knight" evolves into something akin to Rush. This whole album is just so good! The prog-rock and Rush-like elements are amazing. "Firth Of Fifth" is an amazing track, but so are all the other songs! "The Battle Of Epping Forest" is a long epic melodic treat, filled with shifting time signatures, awesome synth sounds and great drumming!

Great prog masterpiece!

Ett av världens bästa progg-album, känns nästan som de uppfinner något ny blandgenre? Har många olika inslag, det tillsammans med den lite lätt humoristiska lyriken, insprängda runk-solon och en rätt lättsmält längd, gör det till ett väldigt roligt album att plöja i en sittning. Släpptes 1973 men känns så himla i framkant, måste ha varit extremt banbrytande för sin tid. Produktionen är extremt jämn och utstrålar professionalitet men lämnar heller inga riktiga 'nuggets' som hade jammat rätt bra med den 'levnadsglada' musiken. Allt annat än en femma är tjänstefel men det kittlar inte i pungen som det gör för vissa andra tidlösa klassiker? Inte samma Eurekaupplevelse som när jag lyssnade på The Wall, ett annat album jag varvar hundratals gånger? Men däremot faller allt på plats utan den minsta glipa eller opolerad skavank. Skulle nog säga 4.8, upprundat till en femma. Don't get me wrong, ÄLSKAR SKITEN

This was my first Peter Gabriel fronted Genesis album that I've listened to. I love Abacab and Invisible Touch, and I really loved this album. The instrumentation is phenomenal, and I really like how everything is arranged. Peter Gabriel's vocals really shine on this album, and I look forward to more albums from this part of Genesis's history.

I'm an unabashed Genesis fan, and I like all of their different eras. SEBTP is probably my favorite of theirs, so this was an easy 5 for me. The songs are whimsical, inventive, often hilarious (check out the lyrics for The Battle of Epping Forest) and endlessly fascinating. The performances are stellar throughout, with bonus points going to Phil Collins, who delivers a drum performance for the ages. I know prog isn't for everyone, and I'm not even really a prog guy. Mostly I find the genre pretentious, stuffy, and noodly. But Genesis always had a great sense of humor, which cuts through the pretension, and I never find their songs too long or boring. (The only tune that doesn't land for me is After the Ordeal, but it's fine.) Plus, Peter Gabriel might be my favorite male vocalist, so there's that.

Listen to it with great pleasure

Epic. Love this album. Firth of fifth is simply a phenomenal track.

Very good early Prog.

9/10 great prog, would love to hear more Genesis

Magnificent. To me this is Genesis's masterwork and up there in the top 5 prog albums. I really like the playful lyrics (especially Battle of Epping Forest and Cinema Show) and the lovely, understated playing of Hackett and Banks. The songs all stand up and are both complex and accessible. A total joy to listen to

Holy prog.

One of my first progrock albums I ever bought. Still so great.

omg wonderful

One of many classic Genesis albums. I am probably more inclined to listen to one of their 80s albums: Duke / Abacab / Genesis / Invisible Touch are all 5-star but probably not on this list. From their Peter Gabriel period, I had only expected to see the Lamb Lies Down On Broadway, but of course Selling England By The Pound is an appropriate choice too.

A prog masterwork. Ever changing songs, brimming with great melodies, creativity and life. Though the players are all incredibly gifted, technicality never overshadows musicality. If you haven’t heard it before you certainly must before you die

A genuine classic. One off.

A true classic from one of my favourite bands. Didn't listen to it today to be fair, but listened through most of it last week and know pretty much the whole thing off by heart, so I can still give a fair review. This album plays off somewhat as a concept album, with common musical themes popping up in several places and an inescapable English vibe. The three main highlights to look out for are "Dancing with the Moonlit Knight", "The Cinema Show" and "Firth of Fifth". Genesis was in a purple patch in terms of instrumentation and creativity at this point, and it shines through in places like the breathtaking guitar solo on FoF, or Cinema Show's colossal organ solo. Scattered between are everything from love ballads to the prog-folk rock behemoth "The Battle of Epping Forest". Even if this album doesn't strike you at first, appreciate the scope of the sound they are creating and you'll see the beauty behind it.

Essential prog work listening and the best album of the Gabriel era of Genesis

This is a 'love-it or Hate-it' scenario. I can see a whole army of 1* reviewers massing on the border....... I used to love 'Phil Collins Genesis' and thought 'Peter Gabriel Genesis' dull but actually listening to this now it's like the Heavens have opened and the sun is shining down. It's marvellous. I'm in Prog-Paradise. The musicianship is amazing and the meandering bits no longer irritate me. Maybe it's an age thing? Our army of 5* defenders will repel the enemy!

This is an iconic prog album, certainly in the top 5 of all time. I can't decide which is the best song on the albu: the Firth of Fifth, Battle of Epping Forest or Cinema Show. They are all monster songs and truly epic in scope (in this case the use of epic is not cliched, but truly appropriate). Here, on their fifth album all band-members are basically in peak form. Firth features lovely piano and guitar solos by Banks and Hackett, Battle of Epping Forest has some of my favourite lyrics / wordplay sung magnificently by Peter Gabriel, and Cinema Show closes with an incredible 4.5 minute keyboard solo by Rutherford. The album lags slightly in certain sections but the sheer weight of the above 3 songs more than compensates for any shortcomings. Peak Prog indeed.

What an amazing album. True work of art from beginning to end. I know Phil Collins isn't some master class singer, and Peter Gabriel was great too, but Phil Collins voice is just wonderful to me for some reason.