Partridge described the production as taking ""Drums and Wires" to the Nth degree ... The drums got boomier and bigger and more gated and more aggressive, and the guitars got slashier, with more punch to them." Gregory attributed the band's tighter sound to their 18 months touring "Drums and Wires", which strengthened "our performance muscles." Moulding added that, in that time, Gregory's 1960s influences was starting to revitalize the band's interest in the music of that era. Gregory said the band had simplified into a "beat" group, with songs less elaborate than the ones recorded for "Drums and Wires". Partridge imposed the rule that no overdubs should be recorded unless they can be performed live.