After being impressed by Smith, Mary Lou Lord invited him to tour with her, and helped him to sign to Kill Rock Stars.

[citation needed] Smith mostly appears alone on his acoustic guitar, although he is occasionally backed up by the odd musical instrument, such as a harmonica and drums.

[6] The lyrics also contain references to Portland's neighborhood Foster-Powell and Alphabet Historic District, St. Ides malt liquor and the borough of Queens in New York City.

Gonson released a series of photo prints of Smith, one per month through August 2020, available for purchase through Morrison Hotel Gallery.

"[7] Trouser Press described it as "bleak, almost uncomfortably unsparing and yet tragically beautiful", and that "the songs, melodies, arrangements and production are all stronger and more fully realized than those on Roman Candle".

[21] "Christian Brothers" has been covered by Queens of the Stone Age on the Canadian tour limited edition of their 2007 album Era Vulgaris, with frontman Josh Homme emphasizing how much he loves the song.

Rolling Stone described Smith as "ferociously talented", and the music as "some of the loveliest songs about the dissolution of a soul ever written [...] hypnotic and terribly, unrelentingly sad".