 Robert insisted , against Atlantic Records ' initial wishes , that he and Dean produce the album together . This freed the band from the constraints of any outside producer 's schedule . The recording process could then be intertwined with tour dates , which , Dean said , resulted in improved performances on the record . Dean admitted they had been spoiled by working with producer Brendan O 'Brien on previous releases . " I 'm not so good at walking around the control room with a pen and clipboard in my hands , marking down what takes are the best . It 's a lot of work . But I like being the very best I can be , and when you 're producing , you are taking on everyone 's performances and wanting it to be the best it can be . " 
