Discussing the origins of "Riad N' The Bedouins", Rose stated: "Riad is the name my one-time momentary brother-in-law of Erin Everly went by when I knew him. Of part Lebanese descent and a former student of Pepperdine University, he claims to be an international arms dealer." Rose's vocals on the song have been compared to Robert Plant. The song starts with ambient samples of the songs "Wherever You Are" and "A Strangely Isolated Place" by Ulrich Schnauss (see below for information on the lawsuit regarding the samples). Several critics have theorised the song's lyrical content is about the Iraq War. Rose said "Sorry" was about "anyone talking nonsense at mine and the public's expense". The song is a power ballad which features a chorus "I'm sorry for you/Not sorry for me", described as a shot at Roses former's bandmates. The song drew comparisons to Pink Floyd and Metallica, and Rose's vocals were compared to Layne Staley. "The A.V. Club" noted Rose's "bizarre, quasi-Transylvanian accent" on the line "But I don't want to do it". "I.R.S." has Rose singing "Gonna call the president / Gonna call myself a private eye / Gonna need the IRS / Gonna get the FBI" over a guitar heavy track. The song was also noted for trip-hop influences. "Spin" mentioned the main riff's similarities to that of Nirvana's "In Bloom".