The band had not recorded at Criteria, or with Dowd, since 1971. For the album, the band strived to reach their "classic" sound, typified by their earliest releases. Criteria owned a row of houses along Biscayne Bay they allowed artists to stay in while recording; Eric Clapton had named his album 461 Ocean Boulevard after his residence while there.
The band had not recorded at Criteria or with Dowd since 1971, and they sought to recreate their early sound for the new album. Criteria provided housing on Biscayne Bay for artists during recording sessions, and Eric Clapton named his album "461 Ocean Boulevard" after his residence there.