With Sonic Youth's bassist Kim Gordon and Gumball's leader Don Fleming in charge of production, the studio work took only four days. Courtney Love gargled whiskey and smoked in excess during the recording sessions to give a raw edge to her vocals. She and lead guitarist Eric Erlandson were greatly influenced by punk and noise rock when making the album, and the chaotic guitar riffs combined with Love's disturbing lyrics and wild screaming showcase this. Riffs from Neil Young and Bauhaus songs are present in two songs on the album, admittedly lifted verbatim by Erlandson and Love. The album was very well-received by rock critics and, while only mildly successful in the United States, was wildly popular in the United Kingdom.