
The 1985 album was a marked departure for the band as Saga moved on from working with Rupert Hine, who had produced the band's last two albums and helped to land the band commercial success during the early part of that decade. There was an overhaul of both the sounds and styles incorporated by the band during the development of the new album, leading Saga to produce a more pop-oriented sound than their previous progressive rock works.
These changes caused tensions within the band during the production. After the album was released, singer Michael Sadler informed drummer Steve Negus and Jim Gilmour that they were no longer welcome in the band, beginning a rift in the band that lasted until 1991. Speaking in interviews during 2002, at the time the band members regarded this division as only temporary and felt the five members would eventually be reunited.