If I could describe this band, which I believe many would definitely agree on, is that they are depressing to listen to and their Dysfunction album definitely points that out. I never really listened to this band fully, but I found my way buying a couple of their CDs. I think for this band's music, you have to get prepared to listen to them. Otherwise, if you were in a good mood, you'll be depressed by the end of one of their CDs, but going in as angry or maybe p*ssed off, Staind might be the anti-drug for that.
Immediately, Suffocate comes on and it's a great song to push out your anger because this is an angry song. The crunchy guitars click with the ravage drums and Aaron Lewis provides anguish yells for an angry tone to the song. Not like it needed it. Raw is another aggressive angry song; the heaviest as matter of fact. The drums pound rapidly while the screeching guitars click in. Although, it's not too creative, but you got to admit. It sounds pretty damn good for it's lack of creativity. Aaron Lewis is definitely angry on this song and the chorus points that out as he growls and snarls. However, Raw is a song that doesn't have much going on due to lack of lyrics.
Mudshovel is the most popular song on this record and I can see why. The techno-like guitars that crush along with the drums provide an intense listen as Aaron Lewis lacks anguish power in his voice. I think so anyway. With the brutal things you say I can't deal with sh!t anymore I just look away
Crunchy guitars that sound in at the right time that provides some nice head banging action as the drums clash and bash the listener, while Aaron Lewis provides some anguish yells and such, but falls short of anything vocally entertaining--A Flat is just that! Although, Crawl is amazingly put together with the guitars being screechy and the drums are very loud and overpowering, Aaron Lewis is mainly the problem. Angry verses, but a groggy chorus that makes you want to yell Get to the point!. Spleen is a very intense song with the guitars giving their all to be heavy as the drums pound away giving the guitars less time to breathe. Aaron Lewis, although his direction lacks a tiny bit, he does decent with the aggressive tone on this song.
So enough with the angry songs, there is 4 songs that fall into the depressing category. After Spleen(you have to wait over 15 minutes) is a hidden track called Excess Baggage is an amazingly "haunted" song. With just an acoustic guitar, Aaron Lewis sings much like a ghost wanting to be heard and it's definitely a sad song for sure. Cause of you I can't figure what I'm all about and I'm left here with nothing, nothing to live for but you.
Just Go is easily my favorite song on this album. Mellow guitars start, but get revved up for the chorus while the drums bash in. Aaron Lewis is simply stunning on this song; he is deeply emotional on this song and the way he sings It's kind of sick, I feels o dirty, I'm kinda tragic kinda insecure will just melt you with amazement.
Me and Home has Aaron Lewis singing in a depressing tone while giving a little anger out on the chorus. Home, however, has a better chorus line than Me and therefore, it's more enjoyable. I'm afraid to be alone, afraid you'll leave me when I'm gone, I'm afraid to come back home. While, Me is a very slow song with it's guitar and mild drums, Home has definitely more "rock" to it.
Dysfunction is what it sounds like it. It sounds like an album that has one function and that is to depress you. Dysfunction isn't an album that I would enjoy over and over because it does what it does. There are a few good songs on here, but I can't see myself listening to this album over and over. The devoted Staind fans will probably love this, but I know Staind has better material than this.
Track Listing:(Best in bold)
Suffocate
Just Go
Me
Raw
Mudshovel
Home
A Flat
Crawl
Spleen
Excess Baggage(hidden track)
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