During a trip to India, Ruth Barron has a spiritual awakening and embraces the teachings of a guru named Baba. Back home in the Sydney suburb of Sans Souci, her parents are appalled to learn their daughter now answers to the name Nazni and has no intention of returning. They concoct a tale about her father Gilbert having had a stroke and being on the verge of death, and her mother Miriam travels to India in hopes of convincing her to come home, with no success until she suffers a serious asthma attack. Ruth agrees to accompany her on her return flight.
Miriam arranges a reunion with Gilbert, who supposedly is recuperating in the Outback, and this charade lands Ruth in the clutches of P.J. Waters, an American exit counselor who deprograms members of religious cults. In a remote cabin, he isolates Ruth, separates her from her sari and religious props, challenges her faith in Baba, and slowly wears her down. As she begins to weaken, Waters finds himself sexually attracted to her, and in time Ruth allows him to seduce her. She then turns the tables on him, as she discovers her sexuality allows her to make mincemeat of his machismo.
Although the album couldn't meet with the commercial success of its predecessor, Deep (1990), it peaked at number 108 on Billboard 200 chart. The lead single off the album, "The Sweetest Drop", peaked at number 2 on Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.
Critical reception
Ned Raggett of Allmusic was mixed in his assessment of the album. He stated: "Released in the initial craze of the grunge/alternative mega-crossover, Smoke's elegant ballads and angular, arty rockers simply didn't fit in." Nevertheless, he also described the album as a "quite a strong release, due to "avoiding any cloning of Deep or "Cuts You Up" in favor of a different approach meant to bring out the band's live power more directly." He also praised Mike Thorne's production work, commenting that it gives the album "a crisp, solid punch throughout, even during its quieter moments." Bill Wyman of Entertainment Weekly also praised the albums "sophisticated" production, calling it as "lush and very adult." He also wrote: "When the music and lyrics come together, it's almost touching, as on the sardonically named "Hit Song", which sounds to me like a vampire pleading for his mortality back."
(Dicky Barrett/Joe Gittleman/Nate Albert/Dennis Brockenborough/Bosstones) You made your bed, that's where you lie No pearly gates when you die We tried to teach, you didn't learn You're going down, you're gonna burn Fast at passing judgement and your quick to cast a stone Hypocrite taking shit, leave me alone Thump the book and twist the word You're setting sinners straight Point your finger, wag your tongue then pass around the plate I've made my bed that's where I'll lie, Won't see the gates when I die And I've been told I'll never learn, I'm going down I'm gonna Screaming demons all hell broke loose and other dark remarks You say that's Satan's waiting for me but I don't give a fuck If words and music tick you off then you're the one who's sick But I think it fucking followers that really make you tick As far as I can tell I'm going to hell As far as I can see, you're coming with me You made your bed that's where you'll lie No pearly gates when you die We tried to teach, you didn't learn You're going down, you're gonna burn Holy smoke! is this a joke? I mean man you're on the move, Shut 'em up and shut 'em down If you don't approve Cuss and curse and stuff your purse And tell me where I'm goin' Holy cow, man, don't stop now, man, Your bank account is growin' You made you're bed that's where you'll lie No pearly gates when you die We tried to teach, you didn't learn You're going down, you're gonna burn You made you're bed that's where you'll lie Thanks God I've got a place to sleep No pearly gates when you die, why should I worry now or cry You know I'm not concerned You're going down, you're gonna burn
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