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
The Downshined
Acumen Nation Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you lie like the rest when you're in your sleep
you polish the dreamers
but you die like the rest when the cutter comes to creep
you wish for it fairer
but you collapse on me just as i relate
you forget i'm a stander
just like a dirty movie
in which you want to rescue
the girl in the tailspin
even though she belongs there
scrape the gutters at the edge
cut like flowers in the alley
burn the lula divinia's ashes now
who's that lurking in the shadows
scrape the gutters at the edge
cut like flowers in the alley
burn the lula divinia's ashes now
who's that lurking in the shadows
begging to bleed
you made a believer
out of me when i most hated praise
you cost me the failure
that i prepped myself from a life in pain
you gutted the mother
complex in me as i shot from the gate
you scratched at my third gear
waiting for me to catch up and catch fire
just like a dirty movie
in which you want to rescue
the girl in the tailspin
even though she belongs there
i begged you for stronger
command as i sank down to my knees
but i couldn't be wronger
as i followed your hand to a much much darker place
scrape the gutters at the edge
cut like flowers in the alley
burn the lula divinia's ashes now
who's that lurking in the shadows
scrape the gutters at the edge
cut like flowers in the alley
burn the lula divinia's ashes now
who's that lurking in the shadows
begging to bleed
scrape the gutters at the edge
who's that lurking in the shadows
begging to bleed...
begging to bleed...
begging to bleed...
begging to bleed...
begging to bleed...
begging to bleed...
begging to bleed...
begging to bleed...
begging to bleed...
begging to bleed...
The lyrics of Acumen Nation's The Downshined seem to be about a toxic relationship in which one person is manipulating and hurting the other. The singer is telling their partner that they "harp like a screamer" and "lie like the rest when you're in your sleep," indicating that they are constantly making noise and being deceitful. The partner is portrayed as someone who "polish[es] the dreamers," perhaps meaning that they make empty promises or offer false hope. However, when it comes down to it, they "die like the rest when the cutter comes to creep," suggesting that they are ultimately just as vulnerable as anyone else.
The singer seems to be aware of the toxicity of the relationship and is looking for a way out. They are "waiting for something to come and deliver me grace," hoping for some kind of divine intervention to help them escape. However, they are also drawn to their partner in some way; perhaps they feel that they can rescue them, even though they know deep down that it's not possible. The repeated refrain of "scrape the gutters at the edge, cut like flowers in the alley, burn the lula divinia's ashes now" adds to the sense of desperation and danger in the relationship, as does the mention of "begging to bleed."
Overall, the lyrics of The Downshined are dark and intense, with a sense of anger and frustration. The relationship depicted is one in which one person is being manipulated and hurt, while the other is portrayed as both vulnerable and dangerous.
Line by Line Meaning
you harp like a screamer
You complain loudly and persistently
you lie like the rest when you're in your sleep
You deceive yourself even subconsciously
you polish the dreamers
You flatter and encourage those with idealistic ambitions
but you die like the rest when the cutter comes to creep
But when faced with harsh realities, you succumb like everyone else
you wish for it fairer
You desire a just and equitable situation
but you collapse on me just as i relate
But you cannot handle the truth when I present it to you
you forget i'm a stander
You overlook the fact that I am steadfast and resilient
waiting for something to come and deliver me grace
Expecting a divine intervention to bring me redemption
just like a dirty movie
Similar to a scandalous film
in which you want to rescue
In which you desire to save the artist
the girl in the tailspin
The female character who is spinning out of control
even though she belongs there
Despite the fact that she may deserve her predicament
scrape the gutters at the edge
Look for the dregs of society at the outskirts
cut like flowers in the alley
Destroying life in a seemingly beautiful place
burn the lula divinia's ashes now
Eliminate the remains of an idealized concept or person
who's that lurking in the shadows
Who is hiding and observing without revealing themselves
begging to bleed
Desiring to suffer and experience pain
you made a believer
You convinced me of something I previously doubted
out of me when i most hated praise
When I was least receptive to compliments
you cost me the failure
You caused me to miss out on the opportunity to fail and learn
that i prepped myself from a life in pain
That I mentally prepared myself to endure a difficult existence
you gutted the mother
You eliminated the maternal instincts in me
complex in me as i shot from the gate
Nurturing personality traits that I displayed early on
you scratched at my third gear
You provoked me to go faster and harder
waiting for me to catch up and catch fire
Anticipating my success and drive to ignite
i begged you for stronger
I implored you for more forceful guidance
command as i sank down to my knees
Orders as I felt hopeless and defeated
but i couldn't be wronger
But I was much more mistaken than I realized
as i followed your hand to a much much darker place
As I took your lead to a far more sinister environment
who's that lurking in the shadows
Who is hiding and observing without revealing themselves
scrape the gutters at the edge
Look for the dregs of society at the outskirts
begging to bleed
Desiring to suffer and experience pain
begging to bleed...
Continuation of the desire for pain and suffering
Contributed by Adalyn H. 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