Having previously only released one cover version on a studio album, "Against The Grain" includes two, one by Leadbelly and one from the Porter/Hayes songwriting team.

The cover shows the wood "grain" of Gallagher's famous Stratocaster guitar which was well worn from his rigorous tour schedule.

"[4]The album was released at a period when Gallagher was finally achieving some recognition in the United States.

Rolling Stone gave the album an excellent review comparing Gallagher favorably to guitar legends Eric Clapton and Alvin Lee.

The same review spoke glowingly of Gallagher's band[5] even though a previous Rolling Stone review of the album Deuce had called bassist Gerry McAvoy a "hack" whose bass playing was "highly pedestrian, almost pedantic".