between our music and his", and the band did not want to appear too indebted. A last-minute offer by Lillywhite to fit the band into his schedule was politely declined. It was Ely who first suggested the American producer Todd Rundgren. The band members gathered for an exploratory visit to his Utopia Sound studio in upstate New York where Rundgren, who was already a fan of the Furs' music, quickly signed onto the project. The partnership with Rundgren – an established industry giant, known for his work with major label successes like Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell – was derided by some as the inevitable "pop sellout", but others saw it as a positive development, even a "major production coup". The band members themselves were pleased with Rundgren's assistance, and have all expressed pride in the results and gratitude for the experience. Recording Rundgren invited the band to move their recording sessions from his commercial space into the private studios in his own home on nearby Mink Hollow Road, Lake Hill, New York. Recording was completed there over a six-week period in April and May 1982. Rundgren enhanced the Furs' sound by adding new elements to their musical arrangements – along with his own varied musical contributions, Rundgren brought in session musicians to augment the band. Gary Windo was a renowned saxophonist in the jazz world who had in recent years collaborated with major rock acts like Ian Hunter and Nick Mason. Extra horn work was contributed by Donn Adams, a longtime player with the American rock band NRBQ. A classical cellist, Ann Sheldon, was recruited from the Royal College of Music. Lastly, the seasoned pop backing vocal team of Flo & Eddie were called in by Rundgren to round out many of the songs. The instrumentalists had all been accepted by the band willingly, even enthusiastically – the backing vocalists, however, were another matter. Flo & Eddie (singers Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman) arrived at the end of recording time when the band thought all the tracks were finalised. When they learned of the vocal duo's purpose, "they weren't really up for it," said Kaylan; the two veterans "represented establishment ... [W]e literally felt like, for the first time as session guys, we were proving ourselves". In the end, however, the band members warmed to the pair, and concluded a successful session. "We did the three or four