Selling England merits some recognition because it contains a few good tracks which are pieces more than conventional songs. One number, "The Battle of Epping Forest," contains 13 stanzas, is constructed more artfully than a Top 40 tune, and uses military and sports terminology as metaphors for gang warfare. The opening selection, "Dancing With the Moonlit Knight," is an epic commentary on contemporary England that employs references to English staples like Wimpey hamburgers and Green Shield stamps.

Genesis are doing unusual things, but that does not automatically place them in the major leagues. Some of the instrumental tracks on "Dancing" are intriguing, and some of the lyrical imagery sprinkled throughout is appealing. But some of the lines are as absurd as they are obscure. "Me, I'm just a lawnmower," Gabriel professes at one point, "you can tell me by the way I walk." Eh? "'I do my double show quick!' said Nick the Prick, fresh out the nick," carries rhyming into the realm of the silly.

There are other defects. One instrumental passage sounds like a monotonous film soundtrack and a spoken introduction resembles the voice of the perturbed rabbit in Alice In Wonderland. The passion for puns occasionally has regrettable manifestations like, "He employed me as a karmacanic."

For all these faults the LP has its moments, and "Dancing With the Moonlit Knight" should be at least heard if not purchased. Genesis may well be the most wordy of today's pop groups, and their facility for the language is admirable. Musically their artiness is, in small doses, engaging. And a band that is trying to do something different in a stagnant pop scene deserves encouragement.

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PAUL GAMBACCINI

(Posted: Mar 14, 1974)