Genesis - Selling England by the pound (1973)

The album title could be translated as "Selling England by weight" (in pounds), where the word "pound" does not refer to the British currency, but to the Anglo-Saxon unit of weight. For this album, all the fantasy used in the previous albums was disregarded, opting for “down to earth”, drawing on landscapes and aromas of old England, starting with the theme that opens the album, “Dancing with the moonlight knight ”, Inspired by the Old Lady Britannia, passing through the fantastic river walk with its green countryside in“ Firth of fifth ”, until the battle of bands, less poetic and very theatrical of the Epping Forest.

Year 1973, in full swing of symphonic rock, with the edition of works such as "The dark side of the moon" or "Brain salad surgery", gave birth to what for many critics and fans is his masterpiece: "Selling England by the pound. "

"Trespass" laid the groundwork, "Nursery Crime" was the beginning of the classic Genesis sound, where later with "Foxtrot" it developed exponentially, until it reached "Selling ..." with which perfection was achieved in his music. “The lamb….” It is also another masterpiece, although for me slightly lower than that.

With a formation already fully consolidated, the compositions reach their maximum degree of complexity, as well as their interpretation, but without abusing a grandiloquence or an excessive use of solos or attempts of individual lucidity of their members, as it happens in other bands. In fact, this album is exceptional because in it there is no attempt by any of the band's components, to stand out above the others, but the work is a perfect combination of five excellent musicians, at the most high in inspiration both in composition and in the technique achieved with their respective instruments. All this could only lead to what for much of the criticism, is the album of Symphonic Rock par excellence.