The music on the album was composed by Lindsay Cooper and the song texts were written by Chris Cutler.

The album comprises two song-suites Sirens and Silences and Work Resumed on the Tower, each on one side of the original LP release.

The CD releases of the album were entitled Sirens and Silences/Work Resumed on the Tower.

Commenting on the group, Chris Cutler said: "I liked the idea of a record as a letter or a newscast from a doomed but hopeful place.

In the booklet accompanying the original LP release, Cutler wrote:[3] Our first task must be to start work once more on the Tower.