It was his only studio album, which was released at the time with two singles, "Cold Imagination" and "Rainy Season", being a short-lived solo career for Devoto, who in 1986, went to form a band alongside guitarist Noko, which later was named Luxuria.

Already frustrated by an unsatisfactory string of replacements for guitarist John McGeoch, Devoto left the group after the pre-album single to Magic, Murder and the Weather had failed to chart.

Trouser Press said: "Full appreciation of the album requires a bit of forbearance and effort, but few artists make music this careful and intelligent.

"[7] AllMusic said: "Melding frenetic industrial funk with sardonic lounge piano, the music appropriately matches Devoto's eccentric lyrical musings—offering obtuse but highly original philosophical and social commentary.

"[2] In a guide to avant-pop music for The Brooklyn Rail, Paul Grimstad described Jerky Versions of the Dream as a "brittle, delicate record" and recommended "Cold Imagination".