[3][4] Farren had left music performance after his 1970 album Mona – The Carnivorous Circus to concentrate on journalism and writing.

However, in 1976 he had the opportunity whilst in New York to record the single "Play With Fire"/"Lost Johnny" reigniting his interest in performing again.

Retaining his band, minus Rudolph who had returned to his native Canada, the group recorded this album which featured guest appearances from fellow NME journalist Chrissie Hynde, Curved Air singer Sonja Kristina, former Dr. Feelgood guitarist Wilko Johnson and harmonica player Will Stallibrass.

LA Weekly, in a retrospective article, called the album "a sonic car crash of self-degradation.

"[5] Trouser Press called it a "solo masterwork," writing that Farren "dishes out a harrowingly honest collection of songs about drinking, dissolution, depression, self-destruction and desperation.