Polydor Records commissioned the group to record a single, "The Snake"/"Do It", and were happy enough with the results to offer the group an album contract. A promotional film was recorded for the single on the set of Oliver!, but the single was omitted from this debut album.[3] The b-side, "Do It", did appear but with added overdubs. "Do It" was later covered by the Henry Rollins Band on their Do It album.
The sleeve came in a printed PVC cover, with an inner gatefold sleeve depicting two different scenescapes, and a printed inner sleeve with a photograph of the band.
200 copies were also pressed on pink vinyl the same year.[4] Initial pressings credited the full band as songwriters on all songs.[5] Later pressings list drummer Twink (John Alder) as songwriter for "Heavenly Man", "War Girl", "Thor", and "The Dream is Just Beginning".
