Excerpt:
Fuss About Nothin' is about George Bush and his "five-minute war", the Iraq War. Most of Ian's political songs are less overtly political as they are against the futility of war, such as Flowers and civil strife although this one is more directly focused because the timing of when it was written. If you review the lyrics it takes a cynical view of Bush's justification and explanation of the war. Most wars are anticipated as brief affairs but as the saying goes it's much easier to get into a conflict than it is to end wars.
Upcoming Podcast Appearances! More details soon:
Better To ...? Podcast, recorded a terrific conversation, due for release 2 August 2024.
In the meantime, listen to previous appearances!
Yeah Uh-Huh by Lisa and Phil https://youtu.be/r46AbOSo-MM?si=uuWy3T8rQjhnGkwS
Tell Me About Your Book, The Phenomenal Musician John Christian
https://www.facebook.com/.../pfbid09pnutefvQEpSF8uz8jMTip...
Set Lusting Bruce with Jesse Jackson https://podcasts.apple.com/.../set.../id1038228650...
HODGEPOD with Rob Fredette https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-bgfx7-14962b2
Toby Gribben Show, awesome show, and live 8 February 2024!
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(Ian Hunter)
I got a bridge I can sell ya
I got a pyramid
I got a time share in Florida
How'd ya like a piece of it?
You're making a fuss about nothin'
Everything's under control
That bee in your bonnet's got liberal on it
Sit back and relax, watch it all unfold
Never forget: I got a direct line
I'm a man you can trust in
If it's left to the left
There won't be nothing left
You're making a fuss about nothin'
This world is a ball with a map on
We conquer we buy and we sell
This world is a tank with a tap on
Business as usual
Now I'm just protecting your interests
I'm just defending your faith
These guys that were caught with their hands in the till
Nothing to do with me, mate, nothing to do with me
Never forget: I got a direct line
I'm a man wiht a mission
If it's left to the left
There won't be nothing left
You're making a fuss about nothin'
Don't you worry, don't you worry
I'm sure I can come up with something'
When all's said and done...I am the one
You're making a fuss about nothin'
You're making a fuss about nothin'
I am just doing my job
You just gotta trust me on this one
'Cause when the time is right
We'll get outta Dodge
Never forget: I'm doing my best
I am a man with a vision
But if it's left to the left
There won't be nothing left
You're making a fuss about nothin'
Don't you worry, don't you worry
I'm sure we can figure out somethin'
Just leave it to me 'n' one day you'll see
You're making a fuss about nothin'
Now never forget, I'm the man to respect
When you come in collect your commission
I said everything's cool, I make the rules You're making a fuss about nothin' Ian Hunter CD: "Shrunken Heads"
Sleeve and track listing
Yep Roc YEP2152 (USA)/Jerkin Crocus JERK9 (UK)
- Words (Big Mouth)
- Fuss About Nothin'
- When The World Was Round
- Brainwashed
- Shrunken Heads
- Soul Of America
- How's Your House
- Guiding Light
- Stretch
- I Am What I Hated When I Was Young
- Read 'em 'n' Weep
Bonus EP:
- Your Eyes
- Wasted
- Real Or Imaginary
Review
This is Ian's first studio album in six years since 2001's Rant. Eagerly anticipated by fans, musically and lyrically it has much in common with its predecessor. Those familiar with Rant will immediately feel comfortable with this album. Whereas before he was lamenting what he sees as the decline of the land of his birth, this time he is commenting on his adopted homeland.
This reviewer always finds it takes a few listens to "get" an Ian Hunter album, and this is no exception. There appears to be little or no filler, and there's a healthy mix of strong, solid rockers and quieter, slower material. Much of the material has a familiar feel - a riff here, a bridge there, very much in the Ian Hunter style where he (perhaps subconciously) leans on his own earlier material.
There are some astonishingly good tracks on here. Words (Big Mouth) opens things up nicely where Ian apologises to a loved one for mouthing off the night before, while Ian yearns for a earlier, simpler world in When The World Was Round. Brainwashed is a great rocker, aimed squarely at the brand-name materialism society seems to be obsessed with today. Shrunken Heads is a great track, with a distinct Springsteen-ish touch to it - close your eyes and it's easy to imagine the E-Street Band accompanying Ian on this one.
In Soul Of America he rails against the current crop of leaders who don't compare to Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Franklin... at the same time as noting how corrupt the whole government machine has become ("feathering their nests while they're rallying the troops..."). How's Your House is a fun, piano-drenched rocker lamenting the lack of help for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Stretch (another guitar-led rocker) sees Ian taking aim at some of the ne'er-do-wells he grew up with, perhaps noting that things could easily have turned out so very differently.
It will be interesting to see how much of this material come across live (I suspect 'very well'). Initial copies of this album come with a 3-track bonus CD - for once the "limited edition" tag is accurate, as bonus-less versions are already in the shops. The tracks are as strong as on the main album (ie definitely not demo tracks). Your Eyes in particular would not have been out of place on the main album, while Wasted has more than a touch of Ian's own God (Take One) about it. At about 50 minutes the album is the right length and the production is very clean.
Overall, a good album that rewards repeated listening. Initially I thought "maybe a notch or two down on his very best" but you know, I'm gonna change my mind. The more I listen to this album the more it grows on me. I'm now firmly convinced this is one of his very best, up there with Alien Boy and Schizophrenic. Now where's that repeat button on the CD player...
| Fuss About Nothin' | 3:44 | Originally released on Shrunken Heads. |
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