It was originally conceived as a double album, but Carter guitarist Les "Fruitbat" Carter felt double albums were a chore in general to listen through from start to finish, so the plan was scrapped. The album was recorded with a seven-member line-up rather than just a two-member line-up which they had used on their early recordings. Many of the songs released on the album were demo versions, recorded in Fruitbat’s home studio and not final studio recordings, as the band had split up before they had completed work on the album.[citation needed] Carter decided not to scrap the material but rather to release it as it stood.
It is the only Carter album not to see any singles released from it, although Fruitbat has stated that he felt there were a couple of songs that could have been singles had the band not split before its release.[citation needed]
Critical reception
Dave Thompson, in Alternative Rock, wrote that "the lyrics once again shine with punchy wit and the frantically guitar-driven music recaptures their old madcap pop flair."[6]
Track listing
All songs written by Morrison/Carter
"The Wrong Place at the Wrong Time" - 0:55
"23:59 End of the World" - 3:41
"Sunshine" - 3:36
"The Undertaker and the Hippy Protest Singer" - 3:03
"Sweetheart Sugar Baby" - 4:41
"Growing Old Disgracefully" - 3:15
"The Man Who Bought the World" - 4:40
"Winning the War" - 3:14
"I Blame the Government" - 3:19
"Citizen's Band Radio" - 4:08
"Psycho Bill" - 2:50
"Closedown" - 3:27
"Girls Can Keep a Secret" - 4:35
Credits
The album was produced by Carter USM and Simon Painter. It was recorded at Notice Studios, House In The Woods and at Chateau Fruitbat.
