"By the end of side one, you're convinced singer Suzy May is a Shangri La, a Ronette or a Twinkle who has had her heart broken by a Bobby, a Johnny or a Joe," wrote Andy Hurt in his 5-star review of the Deadbeats' "On Tar Beach" in Sounds magazine. Originally issued in 1985 on French independent label New Rose, the album was recorded at Jackson's, producer Vic Maile's studio. The band were fans of 50s rockabilly, 60s girl groups and 70s punk and had a policy of using vintage equipment and instruments, so Maile's all-valve desk was perfectly suited to their sound.