 The album received minor criticism for its lack of intensity , which many proposed was due to the fact that Grohl played all the instruments himself . AllMusic reviewer Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote , " Since he recorded the album by himself , they aren 't as powerful as most band 's primal sonic workouts , but the results are damn impressive for a solo musician . " Rolling Stone 's Alex Foege described the record as a " remarkable yet coolly understated solo debut " and felt that " the album 's only disappointment is that despite its home @-@ studio feel , it ultimately reveals little about its creator . " New York described both the overall melodies and Grohl 's singing as derivative of the grunge sound , but praised the " tight Beatlesesque harmonies " and lyrics that " key into the more poetic moments of dudespeak . " Robert Christgau wrote in The Village Voice that the band shows " spirit " but lacks an " identity " and cited the songs " Big Me " and " This Is a Call " as highlights . He later rated the album a three @-@ star honorable mention in his Consumer Guide book , indicating " an enjoyable effort consumers attuned to its overriding aesthetic or individual vision may well treasure " . 
