Nobody's Business Album Review

Cameron Hons has been chipping away at a brand-new album. ‘Nobody’s Business’ was launched on October 16 2024,  and it has plenty of zingers and stingers that will leave you wanting more. Newy 87.8FM Newcastle radio announcer Darren McErlain chats to Cameron Hons, and reviews his latest songs that make us feel like we are extras in our own movie of life.

We have all heard the riddle asking the question about, “why do bees hum?” The lame response is that, “it’s because they don’t know the words.” We laugh, we move on and never revisit why or how the comedy works.  However, we rarely hear Cameron Hons humming on his albums because he is never lost for words. After hundreds of albums, it doesn’t surprise any of his fans around the world!

Cameron finds the right phrases to sing about what we are all thinking, and inserts a little music to go with it for good measure. It makes our reality palatable, and makes our fantasies relatable. The musical comedy is honey coated, and the punchlines have a sting that encourage people to ‘behive’ themselves. A very deep analogy – but it’s true.

If the music industry still worked with records, the side-A of the traditional album is ‘Nobody’s Business’.  It is an outstanding track that would be an excellent support act for the Regurgitators. It has a sound that replicates exactly what that band needs in the world of music. Phrases like, “Go and get something better to do!” and remarks about being “On Discord” and “spamming everyone” truly sticks it to people who don’t metaphorically stay in their lane. It almost encourages everyone to get an Australian Business Number (ABN), just so they can mind their own business!

I have said for many years that Cameron Hons is a gifted, musical genius. He has his own flavour of music, that captures exactly what the audience needs. Many bands try and replicate their idols, but only the authentic Hons effect can mimic both Dire Straits and Icehouse at the same time. ‘I don’t care if you don’t like it’ is one of those hits. It starts off with crystal clear sounds of the rhythm and lead guitar. The buzz can only be appreciated best with ear buds as a listener. Try it yourself. You can actually hear the strumming of metal strings in your ears, forcing the drums to align with your own heartbeat.  Music appreciation is only there if you go looking for it!

Cameron confirmed that the song ‘I don’t care if you don’t like it’  is not directed at anyone and said it was just a wide response in general to people who don't like his music.

“I don't let them bother me, but I decided to make this song, to make me feel better about myself, as a musician and someone who enjoys coming up with music and the creative progress, and if someone else doesn't like it ,it's not my problem - it's theirs,” said a very victorious Cameron Hons.

Society has many environmentalists who have a strong regard for nature. Sadly, these citizens don’t always go out of their way to make a difference. This means their words or intentions are not enough. On the other, Cameron not only supports the local public gardens and reserves, but goes an extra kilometre to protect the flora and fauna by raising awareness with his music. 

The track 'Too Much Traffic’ highlights the issue that the roads are choked and the air in the local environment in polluted. This traffic hazard in turn inconveniences the peak hour workers, but it certainly can’t be good for the animals as well. It is not their fault they have to passively inhale the brown stench of carbon monoxide from newly polished exhaust pipes on the M1,M4 and any other highways that have too much traffic.

However, there is a spot of irony that comes through the work of Cameron Hons’ latest album. In his track, 'Too Much Traffic’, Cameron sings: “That’s what I said…I’m glad I stayed in bed”, when he is actually out there doing his bit for the environment. It is also important to add, that if more people opt for public transport and free up the roads, the NSW Government (of the day) can thank Cameron Hons for that too!

Cameron Hons believes public transport is the best way to solve the traffic chaos on the roads. “Improving public transport, is the best way and is great when it works. By train we're not that far away from the City CBD. I don't drive and never intend to own a car, as I enjoy catching the train or I love walking,” he said.

The post-COVID era has produced some interesting Karens, Darrens, and Sharons. As a personal disclaimer, I have thrown my own name in there, to prevent any offence for the Karens and Sharons. They are not directed at anyone in particular, but are simply newly formed collective nouns for 2024 associated with people proudly wearing cranky pants.  These are often worn when a person’s planet forgets to orbit the sun in society, or the sun abandons them completely. I know it’s true, because Cameron sings about these type of people!

Cameron has a good grasp of observing changes in society and using lyrics to capture the heart of what’s up on this planet. ‘Yelling at Pedestrians’ asks the cutting questions and statements, “What does it mean?” and “I don’t understand…I don’t know what I did to make you mad”. Road rage is part of motorist culture, but drivers on some occasions are opting to yell an innocent law-abiding citizens strolling peacefully along the side of the road. Cameron uses his outstanding lyrics and captures the essence of the issue. Society needs to raise their collective eyebrows and question why this behaviour takes place in the first place! Cameron agreed that people generally appear to be more angry since COVID.

“Is it a new TikTok trend? I don't know the people in the vehicles, they don't know me, and when they yell out nonsense when they drive passed…it makes no sense….they just drive off and show how cowardly they are. They feel safe because they are in their own car so they can be stupid and drive off. They would never say stuff like that to me on the footpath…. It shouldn't be our problem if they are having a bad day,” he said.

Anyone who is a fan of Herman’s Hermits and the track “Mrs Brown, you’ve got a lovely daughter” will absolutely love: ‘You say you don’t like drums’. The ballads and instrumentals will twinkle your ears to your hearts content. It makes the point about a person who doesn’t like the natural drum beat of a real kit, yet loves the base and beat of techno music. It was a very clever application by Cameron to use music as an artform. The song makes an academic observation of the way music is appreciated by different audiences.

“Some people say I would do really well with an electronic drum kit and I always say NO WAY!  For me it's REAL drums. They are more fun and electronic drums sound so fake. I do like some electronic rock bands many I like use real drums and not techno stuff. Techno gets all the same after a while, but real drums help provide different rhythms,” said Cameron.

The highlight of the album in my opinion is ‘Shrinkflation.’ It is like INXS’s Mediate meets an hilarious song by Weird Al Yankovic. You will visualise the cogs turning.  The phrases: “It causes inflation” and “It’s all across the nation” and  not to mention ”My anger is not fakin’” will make you reflect on where your disposable income is going these days. It captures an observation of the economic forces and how shopping items are being reduced in size to save money by big business. It is a shame big government doesn’t prevent big business from making such big changes.

Cameron says that Shrinkflation is a popular topic in Australia right now and it has had a big impact on everyone. The quality of certain supermarket foods drops but they charge the same price or more.

“It's getting worse and nobody is doing anything to police it. In Denmark and France, they have signs up that say, 'This product has been effected by Inflation" so shoppers can be more aware,” he said.

“The manufacturers know this and just get away with it, and don't care. The one who pays the price for it is not the manufacturer but the consumer. It needs to change and there needs to be proper laws against it from happening as it's ripping so many people off in the supermarket,” said Cameron.

The lyrics by Cameron Hons will make him go down in history with the same status as poets like Henry Lawson and Banjo Patterson, and will be fondly remembered in another fifty years.

“I hope that my music will still be available for people to enjoy online or CD in 2074, and hopefully the Internet Archive doesn't get shut down by then.

You can purchase Cameron Hons new album ‘Nobody’s Business’ from cameronhonsbandcamp.com. Grab it while stocks last! Remember, it’s nobody's business but yours—so make it your business to check it out!