Preparations for a follow-up to "Sunset Studies" were thrown into disarray on 2 January 2001 when Dawson died in a car crash. The event had a significant impact on the band and especially on Richards as he wrote their next album. However, the resulting work was not mournful; Richards described it as optimistic and humorous. To replace Dawson, Melbournian Kiernan Box joined the band as a keyboardist. The band produced "Strange Bird" independently; Donovan said this worked to their advantage as they felt more comfortable in their own studio, and that as a result "Strange Bird" was a better album than "Sunset Studies", though the band's debut album was "probably received better by our fans". In response to complaints concerning Richards' "Sunset Studies" wordplay, Augie March included a lyrics booklet with "Strange Bird".