Young Frankenstein who, as Elizabeth did when abducted by the monster, sings the refrain "Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life". After several box office failures (which included now-cult classics "The Producers" and "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory"), Gene Wilder finally hit box office success with a pivotal role in the 1972 Woody Allen film "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid to Ask)". It was around that time that Wilder began toying around with an idea for an original story involving the grandson of Victor Frankenstein inheriting his grandfather's mansion and his research. Wilder had played around with
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Silence would eventually be heard by producer Ross Robinson. Robinson, impressed by the material, would then show up to a rehearsal, after which he offered them studio time at Indigo Ranch and convinced Roadrunner Records to sign the group. Recording sessions for the album lasted for about two months total. While all material for the album was written by the band before production began, Robinson did influence arrangements of the tracks "Hurting and Shoving (She Should Have Let Me Sleep)" and the album's title track. The album has been noted for its overall angry and negative tone in terms of lyrics.