TISM worked on what would become their next album at Metropolis Audio between December 1992 and September 1993 with various producers, including Tony Cohen, Laurence Maddy and Paul McKercher.

The group became dissatisfied with the hard rock sound they had cultivated with Cohen and realised after playing alongside Soundgarden on the Big Day Out in January 1994 that they did not want to be associated with grunge, which was at the height of its popularity at the time.

The group abandoned work on the album and started recording new demos in a techno-influenced alternative dance style after returning from the Big Day Out.

Jonathan Lewis from AllMusic said TISM "had generated a strong cult following during the 14 years of their existence prior to the release of this album, but commercial success had proved elusive.. but for Machiavelli and the Four Seasons, the band chose to embrace dance music and the resulting commercial success this album enjoyed came as a shock, at least to the band, if to no one else."

Lewis opined the album "sees TISM at their wittiest since Great Truckin' Songs of the Renaissance" adding "Their lyrics are smart and their use of musical trends extremely clever...

He highlights “(He’ll Never Be An) Ol’ Man River” as the breakthrough hit, but said "the best song is “Garbage”, a thrashing breakbeat techno track with lyrics condemning classic rock and the endless recycling of nostalgia.