The album was released on April 28, 1998, and now generally considered a trip hop classic despite poor sales.

The pair's demos sparked interest from Warner Music Group, EMI and BMG in Canada.

Esthero's managers, Zack Werner and Beau Randall, signed them directly to Sony Music Entertainment in U.S.

[4] McKinney stated in a 2016 NPR interview that, when writing and producing the album, he was inspired by reggae, calypso, and house music, three genres that didn't receive much exposure in his native Minneapolis, also citing Björk, Portishead, and Massive Attack as influences.

[3] Chris Molanphy of CMJ New Music Monthly noted that album sounds "slick for starters; clamorous but never abrasive, yearning but not very dark" and "organic".

Club's review, penned by David Peisner, was also positive, commenting that while some of the songs were unimaginative, some (such as "Heaven Sent" and "Country Livin'") were more unusual, and praising Esthero's vocals as "sublime" and "sultry".

The remix of "Country Livin' (The World I Know)" featuring dirty south hip hop quartet Goodie Mob was included on the Slam soundtrack.