Recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, it broadens the band's palette through the use of pedal steel and slide guitar.

The album is also the first to feature Mel Draisey as the official fourth member of the band.

Pat Sansone of Wilco plays on the majority of the songs on God Save The Clientele.

It was released on Merge Records on 8 May 2007 in the US, although it leaked onto the internet in March 2007.

It was released in the UK in September 2007 by The Track & Field Organisation.