[4] Recorded in 1970–71 at the same time that the three members of the Move were also laying down tracks for the first Electric Light Orchestra album, The Electric Light Orchestra (even during some of the same sessions), it inevitably has some similarities in style to the new band's debut album, especially the heavy use of "tracking up" (overdubbing) to capture all of the instruments being played by Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne.

One of the early songs recorded during the sessions was "10538 Overture," a Lynne composition that was originally intended to be a Move B-side.

During these sessions, bassist Rick Price left The Move in December 1970 (although it was always unclear whether he quit due to his lack of income without touring or was sacked due to the band's lack of income without touring), reducing the Move to a trio.

[4]) Drummer Bev Bevan, in the liner notes for the 2005 reissue of Message from the Country, is quoted as saying that it is his least favorite Move album, while Wood has said "It was probably the best one we ever did.

The US rights to the songs were transferred to United Artists shortly after the release of Message from the Country, and various compilation albums and CDs containing some combination of the album songs and five single tracks were released in the US by United Artists for years prior to the comprehensive reissue.

The latter album, released only on CD contained a US radio ad for "Split Ends" as an unlisted track.