The end of an exhaustive and turbulent tour promoting Game Theory's fifth album Two Steps from the Middle Ages, left musician Scott Miller strained and without a band.

[3][4] The frontman attempted to regroup with Michael Quercio on bass, Jozef Becker of Thin White Rope on drums, and Gil Ray, the only other Game Theory holdover remaining, on guitar.

Easter had grown frustrated at Miller's lack of commercial success, saying in 2015, "I was sick of vicariously getting my feelings hurt as the world failed to recognize him -- I was starting to think he should go with Mutt Lange next time, so he can have a fucking hit.

"[17] Wired said, "Before somebody inevitably describes the Loud Family as 'clever pop' and you go off sneering, be advised that this is the new musical phoenix risen whole and rocking from the ashes of the late great Game Theory."

"[18] Trouser Press wrote "Over the course of this nineteen-tune compendium of moody meandering, razor-edge power pop, cracked psychedelic introspection and weirder-than-weird ear candy, it’s clear that Miller is back in a big way.

"[19] In a 1996 book, Rolling Stone's Scott Schinder wrote that Miller's "off-center genius didn't skip a beat as he transferred his unique perspective to his new group, whose musical muscularity gave his hook-intensive tunes the sonic clout to make them knockouts.