"Steady Diet of Nothing" is the second studio album by American post-hardcore band Fugazi. Released on July 1, 1991, by Dischord Records, the album was produced and engineered by the band members themselves, this marked the first time Fugazi handled production duties in-house.
Lyrically, "Steady Diet of Nothing" continues Fugazi's exploration of a wide range of politically and socially-conscious themes, like wealth inequality, interpersonal relationships, and violence. Musically, it showcases Fugazi's progression into a harder, slightly stripped-down sound as compared to its previous works.
The album title is an English idiom implying a substantial amount of nothing. Notably, Steady Diet features more refined performances, as well as a somewhat more stripped-down sound as compared to the band's previous records. Musically, this album is characterized by its strong emphasis on rhythm and dynamic shifts.
This album saw Fugazi taking an increasingly experimental direction with their music, with elements of funk and dub appearing alongside their signature raw punk sound. The overall sound of the album was considered less vibrant in comparison to their earlier works, reflecting a sense of disillusionment and a demand for self-restraint in the face of explosive social circumstances.
Despite being somewhat of a departure from their earlier work, "Steady Diet of Nothing" met with a great deal of critical success and commercial success relative to many independent releases; it helped consolidate Fugazi's status as a leading force in independent music, dedicated to maintaining control over their own creative and economic conditions.
