The album differs from the band's conventional roots rock sound somewhat, with several songs (notably "Shape of Things to Come" and "November in Ontario") adopting more of a hard rock sound and the title track incorporating electronic keyboards and Sonic Youth-style guitar feedback.

Desmond's Hip City refers to a record shop in Brixton, England; band member Josh Finlayson had lived above the store for a time in the early 1980s.

[2] Desmond's Hip City was the first Black record shop[3] in Brixton, south of London, England.

A later view of the storefront can be seen in the 1983 Haysi Fantayzee video,[4] "Sister Friction", where it is called Desmond Hip City.

Guest musicians on the album include Sarah Harmer, Lewis Melville, Jim Cuddy and Anne Bourne.