The album was completed after the death of frontman Joe Strummer, primarily by Martin Slattery and Scott Shields, and released on 21 October 2003.

The album received a positive critical reception and is generally seen as a return to form and a high point for Strummer to have gone out on.

[3] The video also features many New Yorkers, along with some of Strummer's closest famous friends including Malin, Matt Dillon, Steve Buscemi, Jim Jarmusch, Tim Armstrong, Lars Fredriksen, Matt Freeman, Cara Seymour, Sara Driver and Cinqué Lee as they watch the mural being painted.

[4][5] The album received a positive critical reception and is generally seen as a return to form for Joe Strummer that sees him going out on a high point.

"Ramshackle Day Parade", the fifth song of the album, was featured on the acclaimed movie The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.