The release was not initially a commercial success, and was the only Mott the Hoople album that failed to chart in either the UK[4] or US.

The initial working title of AC/DC would be abandoned in favour of a combination of alternate choices Brain Damage and Bizarre Capers.

[5] Earlier sessions, self-produced by the band, were also abandoned when Guy Stevens was called in to rescue the recording but a number of these tracks have resurfaced on All the Young Dudes: The Anthology and as bonus material on Angel Air's re-issues of Mott the Hoople albums.

There was an actual mask packaged inside with the UK version of the album, but not with the Canadian LP.

The album is dedicated to James Dean, as stated below the band photo on the back cover.