Ronnie Spector provided backing vocals on the band's cover of "Mony Mony".[1]David Gilmour guested on "Love Keeps Hanging On".[7] The album was produced by Mark St. John and Dave Garland.[8]... Rage Before Beauty was recorded by the 1966 lineup of the band.[9]
Perfect Sound Forever called the album "a testament to the brand of sweaty, guitar-driven, R&B garage rock which never really seems to go out of fashion."[10]The Boston Globe wrote that "vocalist Phil May's gravelly voice is stupefying on the Pretty's cover of 'Play With Fire', virtually besting Mick Jagger's own icy interpretation."[7] The Orange County Register thought that "from the rollicking 'Passion of Love' to anthemic, reflective ballads like 'Love Keeps Hanging On' ... the album is a summation of almost every style the Pretties ever attempted, while still retaining some middle-age maturity."[11]