One of the basic philosophies of the band has been that constant change and development was important to their music, which prompted them to start thinking about a new producer.

[6] George's son, Giles, noted in 2018 that George's hearing loss (which was then "an industry secret") impeded his ability to contribute to the album, citing an anecdote where he asked his father about how production was progressing, only for the elder Martin to answer "Two boiled eggs," having misheard Giles' remark as an inquiry into what he had eaten for lunch.

Four singles, "Reap the Wild Wind", "Hymn", "Visions in Blue" and "We Came to Dance", were released from the album, all of which reached the UK Top 20.

Upon its 1982 release Smash Hits gave it a positive 8/10 rating, while Rolling Stone reviewer Kurt Loder described the bands decision to work with George Martin as "something of a catastrophe".

Giving it a 2/5 rating Loder concluded: "In Martin's regulation AOR production, there's little depth or drama; everything seems to sit on the surface.

The results delivered as desired, furnishing them with hits in the elegantly catchy "Reap The Wild Wind", irresistibly lofty "Hymn" and glacial "We Came To Dance".

Ure flexes his guitar-god tendencies on "Mine For Life" and "When The Scream Subsides", while "Visions In Blue" maxes the moody opulence marvellously.

A 7-disc box set was released in July 2023, consisting of a 1982 analog master, a new Steven Wilson remix, plus discs containing rehearsals, b-sides and a Hammersmith Odeon show from 1982.