The album, written by Dienel and produced by Adam Selzer,[3] was released on March 4, 2008, from independent label Dead Oceans.

"[2] By contrast, leading French music magazine Les Inrockuptibles described the album as "the spirit of US songwriting in all its humble splendor"; like Deusner, Les InRocks critic Richard Robert described the project as "ambitious" but Robert found it "impeccably realized throughout the album, which, like Dienel's fluttering voice, breathes into every measure a fragrance of freshness rarely found in music with synthesizer.

'"[4] Mason as well as Matthew Fiander reviewing at PopMatters noted the success of Phylactery Factory as a second album for Dienel.

Fiander wrote: "Phylactery Factory, and the move to White Hinterland, is a huge step forward for Casey Dienel.

Here, by making the move to full band at the right time, she has fulfilled a good deal of that promise much earlier than anyone expected.