Larry Mullen Jr. of U2's songs, helping to evoke military imagery. During the recording of the album "Pop" in 1996, Mullen suffered from severe back problems. Recording was delayed due to surgery. When he left the hospital, he arrived back in the studio to find the rest of the band experimenting more than ever with electronic drum machines, something driven largely by guitarist The Edge's interest in dance and hip-hop music, and, given his weakness after the operation, he relented, allowing The Edge to continue using drum machines, which contributed heavily to the album's electronic feel. Mullen has had tendinitis problems throughout his
The Stanley Clarke Band gave it a score of three-and-a-half stars. It is also the second Stanley Clarke album to be credited to The Stanley Clarke Band after his 1985 album "Find Out!". A core trio is constant throughout the album with Clarke joined by drummer Ronald Bruner, Jr. and keyboardist Ruslan Sirota. Hiromi is billed as a featured artist playing piano on "No Mystery", "Larry Has Traveled 11 Miles and Waited a Lifetime for the Return of Vishnu’s Report" and her composition "Labyrinth". Several additional musicians appear on most tracks. Clarke, in discussing the band has said that "our common thread is improvisation".