The obstacles that did hinder the progress of the LP were not unfamiliar after 7 albums and numerous recording sessions although "this more performance-based style of working threw its own spanner in the works which some of us found hard to come to terms with." Frustrations were further compounded by 2 recording sessions at a rented villa-cum-studio in Madrid where the band came away with only 2 tracks. "There were some extremely difficult moments during the Madrid sessions" admits Alan. "I have a very strong work ethic - when I'm working, I'm working - which is the only way I can complete a project and know I've given my absolute best. Flood and I found it increasingly difficult to concentrate with some of the distractions we encountered in the villa." After these sessions, Andy Fletcher returned home for personal reasons and with the number present in the studio slimmed down (to a core group consisting of Alan, Flood and whoever else was required) the third and easily the most productive session at Chateau Du Pape Studios in Hamburg saw the album turn around with 8 further tracks recorded.