Regarding the album's lengthy track listing, which includes seventeen tracks, Mark Kozelek noted, "Recording a standard ten-song album is a concept I chose to make fun of on this record.
The album's lyrical content frequently focuses upon life as a touring musician and the nature of songwriting, with Kozelek stating, "When you're a touring musician, you're always turning over new rocks and there's always a certain level of tension in your life.