It is the first album to feature guitarist-vocalist Laurie Wisefield, who would be a major part of the band's creative direction for the next 11 years.

Although the trademark twin guitars were still evident, the album had a more "American" feel with a smoother production sound.

Nevertheless, after the disappointing critical response to the previous studio album, Wishbone Four, reviews for There's The Rub were much more positive.

[citation needed] The cover art designed by Hipgnosis shows a cricketer rubbing (in effect, polishing) a cricket ball on his trousers, leaving a mark – a common practice by fast bowlers who do so to make one side of the leather ball shinier than the other.

This helps the ball to swing as it travels through the air after being bowled, so making it harder for the batsman to play it.