Whilst ostensibly a formulaic indie outfit, there were flashes of the more complex symphonic arrangements and varied production values that would characterise later Electric Soft Parade releases, and over three self-released albums the band cultivated a (relatively) original sound, not unlike that of Holes in the Wall.
With A&R and production from Chris Hughes, the album spawned two UK top-forty hits and led to performances on Top of the Pops, Later With Jools Holland and a world-tour covering Europe, Japan and Australasia.
On release, the album received wildly differing responses, largely criticising the looser arrangements and downbeat feel (though NME awarded it 9/10, lauding the bands' "near-superhuman powers").
However, the album can now be seen as a major turning point in the bands' sound – from the hi-tech, digital production of Holes in the Wall to the organic feel of later releases.
In March and April 2007 they made their second visit to the South by Southwest Festival, took part in a tribute to Billy MacKenzie at Shepherd's Bush Empire in aid of Sound Seekers, and played a UK tour.
On 11 June 2008, The Electric Soft Parade supported Sparks at their Hello Young Lovers show – the last of a 20 concert extravaganza at the Islington Academy, London.
In December 2010, the band returned to the stage (as a five-piece) for the first time in over two years, at Maximalism!, a charity concert organised by the White brothers in aid of The Martlets Hospice.
Energised by the reaction at the December show, the band held a monthly residency from March through June at The Prince Albert, Brighton, where they revisited their entire back catalogue in sequence, as well as debuting brand new material.
'[6] After being released from their label in 2004, the White brothers began collaborating on a much harder, punk-influenced project with Sea Power's ex-keyboardist Eamon Hamilton and bassist Marc Beatty, of Tenderfoot.
To date, they have released three critically acclaimed albums – two with Rough Trade (2005's Give Blood and 2006's The Beatific Visions) and one with Fat Cat Records (2009's Touchdown).
As with The Maximalist, shows to promote the album have featured Thomas accompanied by a revolving choir of Brighton musicians, often decorated in Egyptian-style galabiyas.