Although the glory days of the Industrial music scene in Chicago had faded by this point, through constant touring and sheer hard work on a number of different projects the duo have since established themselves as favorites in the US underground scene.
In 1997, the band were forced to change their name due to a legal dispute with a Bluegrass band also called Acumen. Duffy and Novak split their project into two halves - the drum and bass influenced DJ? Acucrack, and the more traditional rock format of Acumen Nation.
Discography
Transmissions from Eville (Demo) (as Acumen; 1994; Robot Records), (as Acumen; 1994; Fifth Colvmn Records)
Territory=Universe (as Acumen; 1996; Fifth Colvmn)
Unkind (Unkind + Revelations Per Minute) (EP) (1997; Conscience Records)
More Human Heart (1997; Conscience)
If You Were (If You Were / Bleed for You) (EP) (1998; Conscience)
Transmissions from Eville (Remastered) (1998; Conscience)
Territory=Universe (Territory = Universe) (Universe) (Remastered) (1998; Conscience)
Strike 4 (EP) (2000)
Live Farewell 2001 (2001)
The 5ifth Column (Fifth Column) (5th Column) (The Fifth Column) (2002; Invisible Records)
Coming Down: The Bastard Remix Album (Coming Down (The Bastard Remix Album)) (Coming Down) (2002; Invisible)
Lord of the Cynics (2003; Cracknation Records)
Artifacts: 1990-1993 Volume 1 (Artifacts: 1990 - 1993 - Volume 1) (2004; Cracknation Records)
Acumen Nation Live at Double Door 08/06/2004 (Cracknation Records)
What the Fuck (What the F**k) (2005; Cracknation Records)
Anticore (2006; Cracknation Records)
Psycho the Rapist (2007; Cracknation Records)
Unbound Saga: Official Game Soundtrack (23, November 2010; Cracknation Records)
See also Cracknation Records, Cracknation Records
Official Site
http://www.cracknation.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cracknation/285988987668
Noarmsnolegs
Acumen Nation Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And if you move I'll blow your brains through your hat
And if you give me half a chance I'll drag you down
And leave you lying with no arms and no legs
Because I love you, but I'd kill you
Because you're human, and I hate you
And if the phone is ringing and you can't reach out
You can't get up, can't get up, with no arms and no legs
And if your baby is crying on the floor
You can't get up with no arms and no legs
You ain't got the balls to be a hero
With no arms and no legs
The lyrics to Acumen Nation's "No Arms No Legs" tell the story of a brutal, violent individual who threatens others with a gun and is willing to harm anyone who gives them trouble. The opening lines refer to the weapon pointed at the listener's back, calling it a "gat" (slang for a handgun). The lyrics continue with a chilling description of how the singer would "drag you down" and leave you "lying with no arms and no legs" - a reference to violence and possibly even dismemberment.
The reason for this violence, the lyrics suggest, is a deep hatred for humanity. The repeated line "Because I love you, but I'd kill you / Because you're human, and I hate you" emphasizes this point. The lyrics also allude to the helpless situation of those who are victims of such violence; the image of a ringing phone that can't be answered, or a crying baby on the floor, emphasizes the powerlessness of those who are subjected to this kind of aggression.
Overall, the lyrics paint a disturbing and violent picture, one that suggests a deep-seated misanthropy and a willingness to harm others for no reason other than a hatred for humanity.
Line by Line Meaning
The gun in your back is a gat
I am threatening you with a gun.
And if you move I'll blow your brains through your hat
If you try to resist or flee, I will shoot you in the head.
And if you give me half a chance I'll drag you down
I will take advantage of any opportunity to harm you.
And leave you lying with no arms and no legs
I will cause you to suffer greatly and permanently disable you.
Because I love you, but I'd kill you
I have conflicting emotions towards you and am willing to cause you harm despite any positive feelings.
Because you're human, and I hate you
I have a deep-seated resentment towards all humanity.
And if the phone is ringing and you can't reach out
In a moment of desperation, you are unable to call for help or assistance.
You can't get up, can't get up, with no arms and no legs
You are physically unable to move or perform basic actions without limbs.
And if your baby is crying on the floor
In a situation of distress, even your helpless child is suffering and unable to be comforted or protected.
You can't get up with no arms and no legs
Your physical limitations render you unable to provide aid, support, or protection.
You ain't got the balls to be a hero
It takes great courage and bravery to be a hero.
With no arms and no legs
However, without the ability to physically act, being a hero is impossible.
Contributed by Hailey F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ben - Moderator
on F.W.M.
Thanks Malachai, We have corrected this fact above [reference: https://www.allmusic.com/artist/acumen-nation-mn0000493878/biography]
Malachai
on F.W.M.
They started off as Acumen, but another band had rights to the name. I have the tour T to prove it