Jack and Meg were building a small following in their hometown of Detroit following the release of their self titled debut. Despite this, the married couple filled for divorce but remained friends and continued on with the group.
The name “De Stijl” refers to a Dutch artist movement originating in the early 1900s. Translated in English as “The Style”, the style of art is characterized by it’s use of abstract designs and influence from Cubist paintings. The cover art is in this exact style as well.
Continuing with the raw sound from their debut, the album features a more simpler blend of punk and blues. Songs like their cover of Son House’s Death Letter and Hello Operator have a more emphasis on the punk side, while Apple Blossom features more bluesy, soul vibe.
The record was recorded on an 8-track analog tape in Jack’s living room and released on June 20, 2000 on Sympathy for the Record Label. It was released to critical acclaim but few copies were sold. It wasn’t until 2004 when the album began to receive attention, charting at 39 on the Billboard Independent Album charts.