The album focuses on outcasts, recluses, the mentally ill, and others struggling in ordinary society.

[13] The album is loosely unified around a group of people living in Washington state.

[13] At least one character is confirmed to be recurring from All Hail West Texas, an earlier album.

[13] Several songs were performed in concert with a capella quartet Anonymous 4 and featured arrangements by long-time friend Owen Pallett.

This is the first Mountain Goats album to prominently feature a horn section, contributed and arranged by fellow musician Matthew E. White, who opened for the band on their 2012 tour.