The album was produced, engineered, and mixed by Ken Nelson and recorded at Parr Street Studios, Liverpool, in early 2005.

Howling Bells was predominantly written by vocalist and rhythm guitarist Juanita Stein, with the majority of its themes revolving around her relationships and feelings of affection.

The 12-track set features a wide array of music styles, including rock, pop, country, folk, and blues.

Most of the song lyrics on Howling Bells were written by Juanita Stein when she took time off from the band's previous incarnation, the Sydney-based pop rock group Waikiki.

The band found a country house in the mountains of Victoria, where they spent a month creating demo tracks for the album.

[8] "I'm Not Afraid", the album's last track, was written by Peter Stein (Joel and Juanita's father), who is also a songwriter and musician.

[11] The start date of the recording of Howling Bells was repeatedly delayed because Coldplay was dissatisfied with its studio sessions.

[10] They recorded Howling Bells in two to three months, with all the main vocal and instrument tracking done in real time, as if in a live setting.

[14] Due to the personal significance of her songs, Juanita had the studio lights turned off in order to make the recording experience feel more private.

[19] In 2008, Howling Bells signed to work with Independiente and released their follow-up album, Radio Wars, through that label.

[19][20] After signing a deal with Nettwerk Music Group, Radio Wars became Howling Bells' first album released in North America.

[21] The release of Howling Bells was preceded by three singles, "Low Happening" (December 2005), "Wishing Stone" (February 2006), and "Blessed Night" (May 2006).

[1] The music video that accompanied "Low Happening" was directed by Josh Logue for Mathematics and was shot at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney.

[42] Finnish-born graphic artist Mikko Rantanen created all the album's artwork and the single covers for "Low Happening" and "Blessed Night".

She recognised it to be a reflection of the Howling Bells sound, so she sent him a copy of the album, and he designed illustrations for it based on his interpretation of the music.

[60][61] They played at Bella Union's tenth anniversary party and supported various artists, including Placebo, Snow Patrol and The Killers.

[3][68] In a competition that is artist or label self-nominated, Howling Bells was one of nine finalists out nearly 200 nominees for the 2006 Australian Music Prize Award (AMP).

[71] A panel of entertainment industry members and journalists nominated Howling Bells for the 2006 Shortlist Music Prize.

He went on to say, "A debut album couldn't be more sophisticated if it wore a beret and smoked filterless French cigarettes while reading Rimbaud by candlelight.

"[78] Richard Hughes of CD Times drew comparisons to My Bloody Valentine, PJ Harvey and a David Lynch movie soundtrack.

"[79] Less favourable reviews came from David Renshaw of Wears the Trousers Magazine, who said, "Occasionally, the songs are repetitive, and with summer supposedly in full swing, this album is not one for the barbeque."

[80] Tim DiGravina of Allmusic wrote that "shallow subject matter, often goofy rhyming lyrics, and a heavy-handed use of falsetto sometimes sidetracks the album as a whole."

"[44] Emily Mackay of Playlouder compared the band with The Duke Spirit, Sons and Daughters and Tarnation, and she commented, "Howling Bells have crafted a unique, glossy, gothic gloom."

She finished with a word of caution: "It veers close, however, to being too polished ... Howling Bells run the risk of being just picturesque melancholy.