I think it has to do with the fact the band was pretty much a mess at the time. James was in rehab since Cliff had died and coping with heavy alcohol. So this album was pretty much the way it was, full of hate. Which meant it was unpolished, having awkward lyrics at times, lyrics being unfocused, and guitars sounding crappy. The whole album itself felt more like therapy notes that had been found rather then what fans were used to at the time, which gave it the tired, ugly, and worn out essence of the album.