In the band's earlier years, while under Delerium Records, the band's music typically possessed more extended and abstract qualities typically associated to psychedelic rock and space rock. The band shifted their sound in the late 1990s when signing to Kscope/Snapper Record labels, to a more commercial, radio friendly sound that entailed shorter compositions and traditional song structures, while retaining progressive rock qualities as well. However, by around 2001, they had again outgrown a smaller record label, and after changing labels again to Lava Records, decided to move in a more progressive metal direction. The band had originally been opposed to major record labels, believing that most labels didn't "get" the band, and their emphasis on albums over singles approach in this era of music. However, they chose Lava because they appeared to support this philosophy, Wilson attributing this due to other bands, namely Tool and Radiohead, achieving success with the same mindset.