The album was recorded and mixed at the Shelter Studio in Hollywood, California.

After nearly a year and many positive reviews, the album reached the U.S. charts, where it peaked at No.

"Breakdown" was released as the lead single and cracked the Top 40 in the U.S. and "American Girl" became one of the band's signature songs.

[3] Reviewing in Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies (1981), Robert Christgau said, "Addicts of updated nostalgia and rock and roll readymades should find this a sly and authentic commentary on the evolving dilemma of Harold Teen.

The songs are cute, the riffs executed with more dynamism than usual, and the singing attractively phlegmy.