Recording of the album began during the famous long, hot summer of 1976 at the equally famous KONK studio in London. Released in February of the following year, the album marked an important change for the band, as it moved away from the theatrical and conceptual work that had characterized their output in the early 1970s. Sleepwalker marked a return to a more conventional and traditional rock and roll sound, with polished contemporary production and an emphasis on accessible melodic rock. The new approach was well received and marked a commercial revival for the band, notably in the United States, where the album reached No. 21 on the Billboard 200 chart. Critics praised the straightforward rock sound and the writing style, wit, and observational quality characteristic of Ray Davies. The key singles and tracks, Sleepwalker, Juke Box Music and Life on the Road, reflect and explore themes of escape, identity, the music industry and life on tour. “Sleepwalker” has recently been remastered from all original 1/4-inch tapes.