It was recorded at Sound Arts Studios in Houston, Texas, and at Stomp Box Studios in Arlington, Texas, and released in the United States on April 8, 2003 by Brando Records.

The track "Come in Closer" features guest vocals by Zayra Alvarez, who later, on the CBS reality show Rock Star: Supernova, sang the song "Razorblade" on her final episode before being voted off.

History for Sale was voted best album by the 2003 Houston Press Music Awards.

The album, re-released on Universal Records on August 5, 2003, is largely a response to the control the label placed on the group during the Consent to Treatment production process.

A remastered version of the album was released on translucent colored vinyl in 2024 as part of Blue October's "Collected Series" box set, which included their first four albums.