Taking a not so successful pop detour with 1978's
Giant for a Day,
Gentle Giant was quite unsure where to turn with their follow-up. Lead singer turned manager
Derek Shulman hoped that a change of environment would help them tap the American market, so he moved the band to Los Angeles to rehearse and record the new album. Whereas bassist
Ray Shulman had dominated the straightforward writing of the previous album, keyboardist
Kerry Minnear was given the reins here. The result was a fusion that actually worked:
Minnear's busy notation, new wave sounds, and driving tempos.