Boards of Canada
Are a Scottish duo making superb
ambient / chilled music, actually using some proper instruments as
well as the ubiquitous laptops and software. I really like these. So
far I've listened to The Campfire Headphase and Music Has the Right
to Children.
The Garlic Ballads
Is nothing like any Gabriel Garcia
Marquez I've read. It is set in a poor region during lean times, but
unless something changes suddenly it isn't that magical realism genre
that has been suggested. So far it is gritty realism. Brutal and
savage. Tough people in a tough place in tough times.
So far there's been police brutality
(prisoners harshly treated, beaten, handcuffed to trees); family
brutality (a daughter refusing an arranged marriage, beaten); her
lover beaten by her family; government brutality (refusing to pay the
promised rate for garlic during a glut); more that I've not
remembered. About half the characters are disabled, blind or with
various deformities, or just too old to go on living such a hard
existence but too poor to die.
I wandered lonely with my basket,
searching for the short-queue tills
Gillian Clarke's poem about the Cardiff
John Lewis is on display there. Thought I might have a go.
A better sight there'll never be,
Than the sign pronouncing,
Buy one,
Get one free.
Joy is the emotion,
That greets the half price
Promotion,
On suntan lotion.
I often get my kicks,
On red pencil day,
At Wickes.
Pay little, at Lidl,
It has'ta be ASDA,
Lets go to Tesco,
Run to Morrison,
The clever bloke goes, to Waitrose.
I love the sandwich dispenser,
At Marks,
And Spencer.
It's great to see the prices drop,
They're good,
With food,
Are the Co-op.
For butter and lard,
I'm happy to pay,
With pricematch guarantee,
And my loyalty card.
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