Hello Jan,

As promised, I scribbled down some impressions after having played the CD several times.

First of all: This is your angry record. This gruff citizen has had it with government cock-ups and the general stupidity of this world. The mood is bleak, and when the familiar Hauenstein humour pops up, it is generally in the form of exasperated outbursts or ironic observations. Quite fitting for these times I would say, and fortunately great musicianship, keen observations and a way with words makes the songs something more than angry rants, and listening carefully one also finds hope, and a determination to find joy and contentment in this world.

The theme of “joy versus gloom” runs through the album giving it both balance and edge – one finds both songs about the state of the world and the human condition, though this time the first kind dominates. I also notice that there is just one cover version.
Comments on the songs:

Footsteps – This folky shuffle sets the scene for the album – showing the melancholy, but also the acceptance and serenity of age … and I love the jazzy guitar interlude.

I Am the Blues – Perhaps the strongest track on the album lyrically. A Hauenstein classic! A chilling description of depression – Churchill’s Black dog. Something about the melody makes me think of the later demo recordings of Jackson C Frank. The violin gives the song character and colour. Great guitar at the end.

Climate Change -A funny up-tempo song providing a welcome relief from the darker moods set by the first two tracks. The ironic narrator listing up the “positive” effects of the climate change … A very catchy melody!

And Yet – This one re-states what I perceive to be the underlying theme of the album: Man’s ability to find scraps of happiness is what will get us through. Nice guitar work here as well – understated and just enough to catch one’s attention.

The Underdoc – Hard-rocking “surrealist garage rock” – You have invented a new genre

Every Road / Little Girl and Mongrel Dog – Two songs of hope – Every Road has a very catchy melody / Little girl gets its message across through acute observations – Strong melodies and guitar work on both.

What a Fool – The “angry rant” track – and a welcome one! I believe all intelligent people have been “fools” in this respect! We forgot the one indisputable truth: Shit floats to the top!

Black Magic #2 – Really nice acoustic guitar on this one and a cool groove. Don’t you ever invite me to dinner! Spooky electric guitar!

Lies Are Stronger Than The Ttruth – Sadly true. This one restates the darker themes of the album, and clears the stage for the next song:

Lion In Winter – Great opening lines! I am tempted to call this the theme song of the album …Sometimes we all feel like that. Hopefully this lion will go on writing songs!

This Great Generation – Once again some light relief. A caustic portrait. I love the barrelhouse piano and the rollicking guitar!

Miss Miss – A tongue in cheek love song where the wordplay carries the message across!

My Heart’s in the Wrong Place – once again the human condition is the theme – a short story by Fred set to music by you. A very strong, smooth melody and a really nice guitar interlude!

Long John, Long Gone – A hard rocking song with a groovy organ. Long John has found a solution to the world’s problems: Be sure to be long gone!

A Longing in My Heart – this I call the summing up song, as I felt it is gathering the various themes of the album and unifying them. Soft and comforting.

Little Victories – A homage to the sensible, courageous and decent people of the world. Reason will win, by small steps! Once again striking images and melody.

And So We Go – The only cover song on the album doesn’t feel out of place at all – On the contrary, it is the perfect ending – Bellman’s mix of “joie de vivre” and fatalism is the perfect conclusion to a strong, sometimes dark but always compelling album! (Have you considered doing more Bellman?)

Congratulations! Another excellent album!

All the best
Alf