Today's disc: "Selling England By The Pound" by Genesis (1973)
The premise is simple: Real time responses to the greatest albums ever made, recorded onto this blog while listening to the records themselves. I hope you enjoy!
1."Dancing With The Moonlit Knight"
Has an album ever opened with more of a longing question? A Capella and naked in the face of the void, Peter Gabriel calls our attention to the plight of his country. As 12-string guitars envelop us in a sea of imagery, we are told of the death of Father Thames who has drowned in the act of delivering us the album's title. This could be a ballad sung to us by a wondering minstrel, or a broadside left arrowed to an ancient oak in a primeval forest. While the rocking out commences in skull pounding glory soon enough, it is this moment, along with the harp-driven coda that burned this song into my psyche: The calm before an empire's crumbling, and the stately walk through the ruins that follows.
2. "I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)"
Oh, you need a radio edit to break us on radio? We'll do you one better. Here's the greatest prog single ever made, compromising none of our composition or our integrity, just 4 minutes of pop perfection that includes a flute solo, lawnmower noises and the tale of a transvestite groundskeeper. While success continued to allude the Gabriel-era band in the states, this registered in the top 30 on the British singles chart. Not bad for a group that notoriously played for a crowd of one just three years before its release.
3. "Firth of Fifth"
Steve Hackett, ladies and Gentleman. If anyone ever doubts his power (or worse, ask who the hell he is) play them this song, wait for the solo, grab their arm and feel the chills rise. I'm pretty sure the electric dirge that builds this track to its epic climax can win wars, make babies and get Obama re-elected. Listen to how perfectly it mimics Peter's flute solo from moments before. Marvel at the precision this man brings to his axe. Question with great confusion and resentment why he was left off of Rolling Stone's 100 greatest guitar players of all time. For my money, no other flight of the fretboard is better.
4. "More Fool Me"
There are healing powers in this tune's sentiment and delivery. May I present Mr. Collins in the role of John Martyn. No wonder Phil ended up producing him in the early 80's. One of the most heartfelt, honest ballads I've ever heard. Phil could have been quite the troubadour if he hadn't discovered drum processing and machines.
5. "The Battle Of Epping Forest"
Gangs of New York set in East London, with Peter playing more parts than the actors in "Greater Tuna". How they were able to put an entr'acte smack dab in the middle of this long piece that is just as interesting as the main story (whilst having nothing to do with it in lyrics, tone or instrumentation) is a great mystery that only makes it more of an essential listen after multiple trips into its web... and did you ever notice how seamlessly it goes back into the main theme after the interlude? Astounding.
6. "After the Ordeal"
Again with the guitar magic!!! Listen to the runs Tony Banks plays underneath Hackett's soloing. It took me years to even hear them. Mike Rutherford's playing a bowed bass as well. By the time Phil comes in with his subtle cadence, it's moved into electric manna land again. This is a group at the peak of their powers. It must have been a religious experience to see this lineup live.
7. "The Cinema Show"
Shakespeare meets Greek Mythology at the movies, and musical transcendence is our souvenir. Each of the players are given their moment in the spotlight. Gabriel's flute weaves through the surroundings like a bird call before succumbing to the wordless vocals of Collins' allusion to CSNY's "Our House". Then Banks' synth shows us a glimpse of all that we will hear in the coming years, right down to the swan song of "Fading Lights" on the "I Can't Dance" record. Rutherford offers chugging rhythm guitar while Tony just keeps on going, bringing in the mellotron to dance with the Moog in an electrical arc of seduction. Meanwhile, Phil hasn't let the tempo slide, only change at the muses' whim, never letting his brothers in arms falter, only guiding them further into glory. And what's that on the horizon? Is the Moonlit Knight coming back to see what England holds for him now, in the wake of all these yesterdays?
8."Aisle of Plenty"
It appears he can't make it. Much to the punks who would decimate this style's chagrin, He is "Lost In the Supermarket". And the nightshade grows, as Gabriel gives us a peak of the world beat that would soon consume his soul.
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