" The Middle , " the second single from the album , includes a guitar solo that , according to Adkins , " is a tribute to Doug Gillard of Guided by Voices " . Its lyrics speak about " fitting in " and self-acceptance of oneself . In turn , " Sweetness " was one of the songs that Adkins had more doubts about because of its lyrical content : " I just had this melody in my head and I was demoing it and singing it and kind of having a hard time with it . I almost did n’t bring it to the band because I was thinking to myself , ’ I ca n’t just say nothing . I ca n’t just use all these sort of alyrical whoahs for this much of a song . ’ " After recording sessions of '' Bleed American '' began , the head of DreamWorks Records ' Artists and repertoire division offered to help the band . The band considered it , but it was not until a year later when they returned to contact him . After the band presented the material they had recorded , the label signed them . '' Bleed American '' was released on July 24 , 2001 . Out of concern that its title could be misinterpreted following the September 11 attacks , the album was re-released with an eponymous title . In addition , the title track was renamed " Salt Sweat Sugar . " The album artwork , showing a set of bowling trophies sitting on top of a cigarette machine , is taken from William Eggleston 's photograph " Memphis "
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Bleed American