The album was recorded inwards August 1973 next the tour supporting the previous album, Foxtrot (1972). The grouping railroad train aside a curt menstruum of fourth dimension to write novel material, which covered a lay out of themes, including the loss of English linguistic communication folk civilization in addition to an increased American influence, which was reflected inwards the title. Following the album's release, the grouping railroad train out on tour, where they drew an enthusiastic reception from fans.
Critics in addition to the band cause got given mixed opinions of the album, though guitarist Steve Hackett has said it is his favourite Genesis record. The album has continued to sell in addition to has reached Gold certification past times the British Phonographic Industry in addition to the Recording Industry Association of America. It was remastered for CD inwards 1994 in addition to 2007. Several of the album tracks became fan favourites in addition to featured every bit a regular business office of the band's alive setlist into the 1980s.
By belatedly 1972, Genesis had stabilised to a greater extent than or less Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford, Steve Hackett in addition to Phil Collins. The grouping had been regularly touring, achieved commercial success amongst their previous album Foxtrot, in addition to were starting to gig inwards the U.S., especially inwards New York City, where they had a positive response. However, journalists were withal criticising the band in addition to comparison them to other progressive rock bands such every bit ELP, Jethro Tull in addition to Pink Floyd. The grouping were likewise busy touring to write novel material, in addition to then later coming off the route inwards leap 1973 they railroad train aside fourth dimension to create novel songs. The group's tape company, Charisma Records insisted they had 3 months to come upwards up amongst a novel album, which Rutherford considered "the osculation of death". Collins formed a alternative upwards band amongst onetime Yes guitarist Peter Banks for a few gigs, in addition to Rutherford revealed inwards an interview to Sounds inwards 1976 that "there had been worries that Phil mightiness desire to larn out the group".
Gabriel chose the album title, a slogan adopted past times the UK Labour Party manifesto, to ensure that the British press would non bill them of "selling out" to America. Overall, it represented a decay of English linguistic communication folk culture in addition to an increment inwards Americanisation.
Genesis proved that they could stone on Foxtrot only on its follow-up Selling England past times the Pound they didn't follow this route, they returned to the English linguistic communication eccentricity of their initiative off records, which wasn't in addition to then much a retreat every bit a consolidation of powers. For fifty-fifty if this eight-track album has no i vocal that hits every bit difficult every bit "Watcher of the Skies," Genesis hasn't sacrificed the newfound immediacy of Foxtrot: they've married it to their eccentricity, finding ways to infuse it into the frail whimsy that's been their calling bill of fare since the beginning. This, combined amongst many overt literary allusions -- the Tolkeinisms of the championship of "The Battle of Epping Forest" alone beingness the almost apparent -- gives this album a storybook quality. It plays every bit a collection of curt stories, fables, in addition to fairy tales, in addition to it is also a stone record, which naturally makes it quite extraordinary every bit a collection, only also every bit a railroad train of private songs. Genesis has never been every bit at nowadays every bit they've been on the fanciful yet hook-driven "I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)" -- apart from the fluttering flutes inwards the fade-out, it could easily endure false for a glam unmarried -- or every bit achingly fragile every bit on "More Fool Me," sung past times Phil Collins. It's this frail residual in addition to how the album showcases the band's narrative strength on a pocket-size scale every bit good every bit large that makes this their arguable high-water mark.
Selling England past times the Pound is to Genesis every bit Hamlet is to Shakespeare. It is a timeless masterpiece of musical powerfulness in addition to functioning combined amongst themes of classical literature in addition to poetry. After 42 years some of the techniques practise audio dated only it's truthful brilliance is inwards the performance. It is an album performed without shame or excuse for it's close perfect execution. It is the pinnacle of this version of Genesis inwards both creativity, songwriting in addition to musical ability. Never earlier or later would Genesis operate in addition to then good together to make music of this caliber.. It is a bright star inwards the firmament of progressive music.
Tracks Listing
1. Dancing With The Moonlit Knight (8:01)
2. I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) (4:06)
3. Firth Of Fifth (9:34)
4. More Fool Me (3:09)
5. The Battle Of Epping Forest(11:43)
6. After The Ordeal (4:12)
7. The Cinema Show (11:06)
8. Aisle Of Plenty (1:31)
Total Time: 53:22
Line-up / Musicians
- Peter Gabriel / atomic number 82 vocals, percussion, flute, oboe
- Steve Hackett / electrical guitar, nylon acoustic guitar
- Tony Banks / keyboards (piano, Hammond, Mellotron, ARP Pro Soloist synth), 12-string guitar
- Mike Rutherford / bass, 12-string guitar, electrical sitar
- Phil Collins / drums, percussion, atomic number 82 (4) & backing vocals
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