^^Or something from Gentle Giant if you're looking for perfection. Not too many wasted notes with them.
I don't even rate it as the best Genesis album (which is a toss-up between Trick of the Tail or Wind & Wuthering for me, depending on the day). I would put Close to the Edge above it, and probably a few others, if I really think about it.
But none of that really matters. It's widely-regarded as a masterpiece and I enjoy it immensely.
Music isn't about chops, or even about talent - it's about sound and the way that sound communicates to people. Mike Keneally
No, but it's very good, one of the best.
I would argue that a "perfect" prog album is impossible: If there are no weak spots, then the band/artist isn't pushing his own abilities enough. The greatness of this music lies partly in its imperfections; in guys whose formal compositional background mostly consists of writing pop songs, listening to the BBC (almost all-classical in the Sixties), and maybe some piano lessons, having them go out and try to musically punch far above their weight. That's where "Firth of Fifth" comes from. It's also where semi-stumbles like "The Battle of Epping Forest" come from. And I'd argue that the heights of "Firth" would be less likely without the risks of "Battle".
I would rate "Foxtrot" and "Close To The Edge" much higher.
When I'm looking for a classic Genesis album this seems to be the first one I pull out.
I agree that Epping Forest is brilliant. And I have a theory about why so many progfans complain about it.
My theory is: They heard the line about Harold Demure "nips up the highest tree" and "fireth acorns from out of hith thling", and, instantly recognizing themselves as the chicken sissy who perches and shoots from relative safety, are so flustered and flushed that they become incapable of reacting to the absolutely dazzling performances on display and succumb to the vapors.
It's a very good album. But it's not 'Close to the Edge', and it's the fault of 'More Fool Me', not 'Epping Forest'.
Image if The Lamb contained the first LP only. Talk about perfection.
I think Foxtrot was their best album as far as creative songwriting, a variety of mood, feeling and emotion and it visually takes me to more interesting places in my mind.
SEBTP I would rank second, then Nursery Cryme.
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway needs to be taken within context of a theatrical show. If you watch the live concert, then the filler stuff makes sense because there are things going on the stage that support it as NOT being fluff or filler. As a pure listening experience, it's not a fair comparison.
As far at Trick of the Tail, it feels like their best post Gabriel album and to me has no weakness. It's every bit as brilliant an album as Foxtrot or SEBTP.... but without Peter, it's not a fair comparison without his input which can't be overlooked.
I'd say Foxtrot is the most perfect Genesis album, CTTE (as mentioned many times) is the most perfect prog album, and Fish Out Of Water is the most perfect prog solo album ever.
even if we limit the scope to the Symph Rock style of Prog, throwing out Canterbury, Zeuhl, Jazz Rock, Avant and Space Rock, it's still not the best
PFM's Per Un Amico is leaps and bounds greater
Banco's Io Sono Nato Libero
Camel's Snow Goose
Anglagard's Hybris
and dozens of other Symph albums are way better... and I'm not alone in that opinion
there's a website where 100 serious Prog fans from around the world with thousands of Prog albums each, of every style of progressive Rock music, rate their albums. Check it out...
http://gnosis2000.net/cgi-bin/gnosearch.cgi
Last edited by MYSTERIOUS TRAVELLER; 08-29-2018 at 04:39 PM.
Why is it whenever someone mentions an artist that was clearly progressive (yet not the Symph weenie definition of Prog) do certain people feel compelled to snort "thats not Prog" like a whiny 5th grader?
Wow, I've received lots of amazing recommendations, will be looking forward to checking out some of those albums. Thanks to everyone who was so kind to suggest titles that could be higher achievement than "Selling England..."
I am a bit limited in what I can check put, due to my setup which only plays vinyl. I ditched CD player, so not sure if some of the newer albums would be available on vinyl?
I also found it interesting that, apparently, I am the only one who thinks "Selling England..." is the best Prog album. I was hoping I'd find at least one peer who'd share my enthusiasm.
Another thing -- I've seen a number of people here label "Selling England..." as sympho-rock. I wasn't aware of that distinction. To me, sympho-rock would be more bands like ELP or even Yes, while Genesis is still more like chamber rock. I'm probably mixing metaphors here, but would like to learn what is the criteria for labeling some recording as sympho-rock?
Not just a Genesis fanboy.
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