group of the 1960s and the Waters-led era of the 1970s.

As with several previous albums, the cover was designed by Hipgnosis, and has been explained by its creator Storm Thorgerson - who was unhappy with the final result - to be an ear underwater. The album was well received by critics upon its release, and was commercially successful in the United Kingdom, but lacklustre publicity on the part of the band's American label Capitol Records