Dysfunction (album)

Dysfunction
Studio album by Staind
Released April 13, 1999
Recorded December 1998 – January 1999 in Jacksonville, Florida
Genre Nu metal, alternative metal, post-grunge
Length 56:05
Label Flip, Elektra
Producer Terry Date, Fred Durst
Staind chronology

Tormented
(1996)		 Dysfunction
(1999)		 Break the Cycle
(2001)
Singles from Dysfunction
  1. "Suffocate"
    Released: February 4, 1999
  2. "Just Go"
    Released: May 27, 1999
  3. "Mudshovel"
    Released: October 29, 1999
  4. "Home"
    Released: February 6, 2000
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
AllMusic [1]
Robert Christgau [2]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide [3]
Sputnikmusic [4]
Ultimate Guitar [5]

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. Although Dysfunction is mostly a nu metal/alternative metal record, the record would be Staind's first album to feature a small glimpse of the post-grunge sound which can be found on the songs "Me" and "Home" which carry a glimpse of grunge influences. The album has been certified two times platinum by the RIAA, selling two million copies in the United States alone.

Background

Despite trying to remove Staind from opening for Limp Bizkit at a 1997 concert, due to the harsh cover illustration on their 1996 album, Fred Durst was impressed with their performance. After hearing their four-song demo, Durst signed Staind to Flip/Elektra to record their label debut; however, he suggested the band become more melodic. They 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.[6]

Staind frontman Aaron Lewis has stated he feels that "even Dysfunction was a huge step away from Tormented."[7]

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.[8]

Album art

The artwork for Dysfunction reflects its title. All four band members are depicted with dysfunctional properties related to their position in the band; Aaron (vocalist) is shown without a mouth, Mike (guitarist) is shown with webbed hands, Johnny (bassist) is shown with only one arm and Jon (drums and percussion) is shown with a pegged leg. Finally the most obvious reference to the album's title is on the cover; the clown's reflection is incorrect.

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"   4:09
5. "Mudshovel"   4:41
6. "Home"   4:04
7. "A Flat"   4:59
8. "Crawl"   4:29
9. "Spleen" (contains hidden track "Excess Baggage" starting at 16:20) 21:01
Total length:
 56:05
Limited Edition bonus track
No. Title Length
10. "Bring the Noise" (featuring Limp Bizkit) 3:50
Total length:
 59:55

Personnel

Charts

Album - Billboard (North America)[9]

Year Chart Position
1999 Top Heatseekers 1
The Billboard 200 74

References

  1. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. Dysfunction at AllMusic. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
  2. ↑ Christgau, Robert. "Consumer Guide: Staind, Dysfunction Album review". Robert Christgau. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
  3. ↑ Brackett, Nathan; Christian Hoard (2004). The Rolling Stone Album Guide. New York City, New York: Simon and Schuster. p. 775. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
  4. ↑ "Staind - Dysfunction (album review)". Sputnikmusic. June 13, 2005. Retrieved February 14, 2012.
  5. ↑ . Ultimate-Guitar Review http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/compact_discs/staind/dysfuction/index.html Review. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. ↑ "Staind Tour Dates". Eventful.com. Retrieved February 24, 2010.
  7. ↑ Florino, Rick (August 25, 2008). "Interview - Staind (Aaron Lewis)". ArtistDirect.com. Retrieved February 24, 2010.
  8. ↑ Grierson, Tim (August 20, 2008). "Staind Interview". About.com. Retrieved February 24, 2010.
  9. ↑ Chart information at AllMusic. Retrieved June 22, 2011.