Για κάποιο λόγο, η εορταστική ατμόσφαιρα, ο “δυτικός πολιτισμός” που τίθεται εν κινδύνω από την αφροασιατική εισβολή (όντως υπάρχει κάτι που τίθεται εν κινδύνω, αλλά δεν είναι ακριβώς …ο δυτικός πολιτισμός) μου έφεραν στο νου το απίστευτο κομμάτι από το άλμπουμ – μονόλιθο σε διπλό βινίλιο, που οι Genesis κυκλοφόρησαν μισό αιώνα πίσω. Είναι φυσικά το The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway, και το καταληκτικό της πρώτης πλευράς του πρώτου δίσκου, ‘The Grand Parade Of Lifeless Packaging’ – η δυστοπική του ατμόσφαιρα χρωματισμένη με ηχητικά εφέ από τον Eno. 📀 📀 For some reason, the festive atmosphere, the “Western civilization” that is supposedly in danger from the Afro-Asian invasion (something is indeed in danger, but it’s not exactly… Western civilization) brought to my mind the incredible track from the monumental double vinyl album that Genesis released half a century ago. Of course, it’s The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, and the track that closes the first side of the first disc, ‘The Grand Parade of Lifeless Packaging’ – its dystopian atmosphere chromatised with sound effects by Eno.

“It’s the last great adventure left to mankind” Screams a drooping lady
offering her dream dolls at less than extortionate prices,
and as the notes and coins are taken out
I’m taken in, to the factory floor.

for the Grand Parade of Lifeless Packaging All ready to use
the Grand Parade of Lifeless Packaging
I just need a fuse.

Got people stocked in every shade,
Must be doing well with trade.
Stamped, addressed, in odd fatality.
That evens out their personality.
With profit potential marked by a sign,
I can recognize some of the production line,
No bite at all in labor bondage,
Just wrinkled wrappers or human bandage. Grand Parade of Lifeless Packaging All ready to use
it’s the Grand Parade of Lifeless Packaging
I just need a fuse.

The hall runs like clockwork
Their hands mark out the time;
Empty in their fullness
Like a frozen pantomime.
Everyone’s a sales representative
Wearing slogans in their shrine.
Dishing out fail safe superlative,
Brother John is No. 9. it’s the Grand Parade of Lifeless Packaging All ready to use
it’s the Grand Parade of Lifeless Packaging
I just need a fuse.

The decor on the ceiling
has planned out their future day
I see no sign of free will,
so I guess I have to pay,
pay my way,
for the Grand Parade it’s the Grand Parade of Lifeless Packaging All ready to use
it’s the Grand Parade of Lifeless Packaging
I just need a fuse.