Wiki
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Release Date
13 April 1999
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Length
9 tracks
Dysfunction is the second studio album by American rock band Staind. It is also the group's first release on any label at all, in this case the Flip/Elektra label. "Suffocate", "Just Go", "Mudshovel", and "Home" were released as singles. The song "Mudshovel" can also be found on the band's previous album, Tormented, albeit in a slightly different form; that version of the song goes under the title spelled "Mudshuvel". It would serve as Staind's breakout single, peaking at number 10 on the Mainstream Rock chart. The album was certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA.
Background, music and lyrics
Despite trying to remove Staind from opening for Limp Bizkit at a 1997 concert, due to the intense cover illustration on their 1996 album Tormented, Fred Durst was impressed with their performance. After hearing their four-song demo, Durst signed Staind to Flip/Elektra to record the band's album Dysfunction. However, Durst suggested Staind would become more melodic. Durst and Staind then traveled to Jacksonville, Florida to begin developing new songs, and after a meeting with Flip, Staind recorded a three-track sampler in Los Angeles, California. By February 1998, they acquired a record contract and after performing on the summer Warped Tour began recording Dysfunction in December.
Staind's vocalist, Aaron Lewis, has stated he feels that, "Dysfunction was a huge step away from Tormented."
Guitarist Mike Mushok expressed frustration in how label personnel were in no way intrusive on the production of Dysfunction, but after it sold over a million copies, the band would be relentlessly hassled during the production of future albums.
Considered nu metal and alternative metal, Dysfunction is known for having both singing and screaming. The album is also known for having songs with slow parts that then turn into aggressive parts with screaming. The album's lyrics are noted for being either angry or depressing.
Touring and performance
Staind toured with Kid Rock in the spring before joining the Family Values Tour 1999 along with various nu metal and rap metal musicians. Three tracks were performed live during the band's MTV Unplugged performance in 2002: "Me", and "Home", and the hidden track "Excess Baggage.
Track listing
All lyrics written by Aaron Lewis; all music composed by Staind.
No. Title Length
1. "Suffocate" 3:16
2. "Just Go" 4:50
3. "Me" 4:36
4. "Raw" 4:10
5. "Mudshovel" 4:41
6. "Home" 4:04
7. "A Flat" 4:59
8. "Crawl" 4:30
9. "Spleen" (contains hidden track "Excess Baggage" starting at 16:20) 21:02
Limited Edition bonus track
No. Title Length
10. "Bring the Noise" (featuring Limp Bizkit) 3:51
Personnel
Aaron Lewis – lead vocals, acoustic guitar on "Excess Baggage"
Mike Mushok – lead guitar
Johnny April – bass, backing vocals
Jon Wysocki – drums
Fred Durst – producer
Terry Date – producer, engineer, mixing
Gregory Burke – artwork, design, concept
John Burton – mixing assistant
Roger Lian – mastering
Jordan Schur – executive producer
Staind – producer
Howie Weinberg – mastering
Ulrich Wild – engineer
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