Previously Cole was best known for his work with the Commotions but this album marked a departure from their signature sound and an opportunity for him to collaborate with other musicians and explore new ideas.

"[2] He also believed that the group had reached a natural conclusion and he no longer wanted the pressure and responsibility of managing a band.

[3] His self-titled debut album was written and recorded in New York, where, following the demise of the Commotions and a long-term relationship, he resided permanently.

The songwriter found the New York environment and atmosphere inspiring, "I wrote more songs in [those] months than I had done in the previous couple of years.

For the lead guitar, Cole already had had Robert Quine in mind long before a meeting was arranged by mutual acquaintance Maher.

Matthew Sweet, then an obscure solo artist, was recruited under recommendation from Maher to play bass guitar.

A self-deprecating song in which the singer makes light of the dramatic change in music, and his own lifestyle, after his move to New York.

"[6] The album opens with the track "Don't Look Back", which is about how people become more attracted to faith the older they become and the closer to death they get.

Still in the process of writing the lyrics and structuring the song, in the studio he performed a rough vocal track to guide the other musicians.

It was written for an unreleased film about a Glaswegian artist who becomes entangled in the New York high life, losing his values and sense of perspective in the process.

"[17] St. Petersburg Times gave the album a glowing review; "Cole uses his austere yet seductive voice to create mental pictures.

"[18] The Guardian praised the assembled musicians who feature on the album, "They charge into the mostly laid-back, introspective material with a rare confidence, balancing crisp guitar lines against a moody swirl of Hammond organ, shifting gear for a chugging, wide-screen ballad setting, or showing their New York underground roots with a pounding muted rocker.

The bluesy riffs of 'What Do You Know About Love', the gambolling bass and haunting harmonica of 'Downtown'... and the hard, Stones-ish rock of 'I Hate To See You Baby Doing That Stuff' smack of leathers and punky sneers.

The single 'No Blue Skies' and the ballad 'Loveless' are the pick of the lighter moments on the album which, though not disappointing, offers no surprises or classics.