2012.08.11 Fugazi - Steady Diet Of Nothing

Color: Black 

Released: 1991, July 1

Label: Dischord

Steady Diet Of Nothing is the last Fugazi record that I would become familiar with. Not entirely sure why, but all of their other records came to my attention first. And this may be  why I mistakenly believed for a time that this was their weakest record. But once the band had become as important to me as they are, I knew I had to sit down with this record and give it a proper listen. Upon my first complete listen, I understood that the word “weak” had no business being anywhere near a description of this record. While it remains my least favorite of the band’s discography, it is indeed a great record and contains strong Fugazi songs such as “Reclamation,” “Long Division” and “Dear Justice Letter.” I can see where it may not be their most innovative record and doesn’t sound as distinct as the other records in the band’s ouvre but it’s still essential listening. There’s a photo on the inside sleeve of the record that supposedly inspired the band Thursday to have a similar theme running on the front cover of their debut full length. A room of empty chairs was supposed to represent the empty minds of gullible society. Also interesting is how the track names are listed on the back cover with a lyric from that respective song beside it.