It reached number 14 on the UK Album Chart and was certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry for sales in excess of 60,000 copies.

Howlett felt that Armatrading did not in fact really need a producer, except in the area of recording vocals, as this was "always a difficult process to do oneself".

[5] In The Faber Companion to 20th Century Popular Music, Phil Hardy and Dave Laing commented that the album showed "a stronger rock influence" than many of her previous ones, particularly on tracks like "Persona Grata", and this is unsurprising given the involvement of Howlett.

[7] The album's photography was done by "celebrated New York photographer" Robert Mapplethorpe[5] and shows Armatrading wearing a dress for the first time.

"Talking to the Wall" is a jazz influenced song, and Armatrading said of it: "I wanted to create something romantic … that you can close your eyes to and just listen.

[12] Hugh Fielder, in a 1985 review for Sounds magazine, referred to the album as " a consummate, sensitive offering" and noted that there were "moments when the piercing shafts of lyrical insight make you shiver with discomfort".

[14] Armatrading and her band toured for three weeks in the UK, beginning on 10 February 1985 and appearing at Hammersmith Odeon from 1 to 6 March.

The US tour began on 1 May and included two sold-out nights at Radio City Music Hall and concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheatre and the Ritz.