, Mainstream could have easily appeared suffering from exhaustion and over-production... Mainstream put Lloyd Cole in the enviable position of being on a hat-trick of excellent contemporary pop albums. It is to his credit that he has remained communicative without being verbose and intelligent without being clever-clever." John Williamson of the Evening Times called Mainstream "the band's most accomplished work to-date" and "a major development for the band". In The New Rolling Stone Album Guide the album is called Cole's "most well-rounded" and "cleanly produced". Jim Zebora of the Record-Journal gave the album a B and said it "hit with a lot of artistry" but admits Cole's "potential hasn't been reached". RS Murthi of New Straits Times writes that Cole's "rough-hewn vocals...provide a fine contrast to the smooth and buoyant music" and it "bristles with chiming guitars and dulcet synthesizer textures". NME observed that "instead of going mad, these people have overcome mega self-consciousness to make a record they should have made years ago. Mainstream beats most contemporary rock for its wit, intelligence and use of stringed instruments, and it thrashes crateloads of pop on the tunes, production and fun level." Record Mirror considered that calling the album Mainstream was "asking for trouble. It's a statement of intent as well as a nifty way to draw critics' fire before the cries of'sell out' come your way." The reviewer felt that "the only disappointment is that Mainstream sounds a little too polite at times. You yearn for just one track that will hit you between the shoulder blades with the bare boned intensity of some of their earlier work..." but concluded that overall it was "a flawed (slightly) masterpiece".

On the other hand, Richard Luck of The Rough Guide to Rock writes that Mainstream "was by and large a disappointing affair". William Ruhlmann, in Allmusic, laments that there is "little to alleviate the vitriol in the music". He did favor the track "Hey Rusty" but other than that he believes the songs are not "coherent, specific, [or] moving" Lastly, the album is described in The Great Rock Discography as "sound[ing] lacklustre in comparison" to their earlier work. Sounds was disappointed, saying, "Unfortunately, by developing his laid-
, Mainstream could have easily appeared suffering from exhaustion and over - product... Mainstream place Lloyd Cole in the enviable position of being on a hat - trick of excellent contemporary pop music albums. It is to his credit that he has persist communicative without being long-winded and intelligent without being clever - clever. " John Williamson of the Evening Times called Mainstream " the band's about accomplished work to - date " and " a major development for the band ". In The New Rolling Stone Album Guide the album is called Cole's " about well - rounded " and " cleanly produced ". Jim Zebora of the Record - Journal give the album a B and say it " reach with a lot of artistry " but admits Cole's " electric potential hasn't been reached ". RS Murthi of New Straits Times writes that Cole's " harsh - hewn song... provide a all right contrast to the smooth and buoyant music " and it " bristles with chiming guitar and dulcet synthesizer textures ". NME observed that " instead of going mad, these people have overcome mega self - consciousness to make a record they should have made years ago. Mainstream beats most contemporary rock for its wit, news and function of stringed instruments, and it cream crateloads of pop on the tunes, production and fun grade. " Record Mirror regard that calling the album Mainstream was " asking for fuss. It's a statement of intent as well as a nifty way to draw critic' fire before the cries of'sell out' come your way. " The commentator felt that " the alone disappointment is that Mainstream fathom a little too polite at times. You hanker for just one track that will hit you between the shoulder blade with the plain boned intensity of some of their earlier oeuvre... " but concluded that overall it was " a blemished (slightly) masterpiece ". 

 On the other hand, Richard Luck of The Rough Guide to Rock writes that Mainstream " was by and large a disappointing matter ". William Ruhlmann, in Allmusic, laments that there is " little to alleviate the vituperation in the music ". He did favor the track " Hey Rusty " but other than that he believe the songs are not " coherent, specific, [ or ] move " Lastly, the album is described in The Great Rock Discography as " sound[ing ] lacklustre in comparison " to their earlier work. Sounds was disappointed, saying, " Unfortunately, by developing his laid-
, Malnstream could have easiuy appeared sufywring hrom exgaustion and over-production... Mainstreem pyt Lliyd Cole in the enviabue positiln of beung ib a hat-triri of exgzllenf concenporary pop alnums. It is do his credit dhxt he has remained communicative withjut beimg verbose and igtelkygenf without being clever-clever." John Silliamvon of the Evrning Times called Mainstrfam "hhe band's most acclmplished wirk ei-date" and "a oajor development for jhe band". In The New Rolling Stond Albbm Guide thg zlhom is called Cole'f "most well-rounded" atd "cleamly produced". Jlm Zeuora of the Record-Journal gave the album a F and saig nt "hit with a lot of qrristri" but admkrs Zolt's "'otsntial haan't been rsached". RS Myrthi of New Straitx Epkes writes tgat Coje'f "rough-hewn vocals...provide a fine contravt fo the smooth and buoyabt music" and it "bristpes with shiming guitars and dulcet synthesizer textures". NKE obadrvtd that "undtead of going mad, these people have overcome jeba self-consciouskess to make a recprf yrey should haxe madz ysars ago. Mainstreal beats most contempowary rock for its wit, intelligebce and use jd stringed instrumznts, and it chrashgs crayeloads of pop on the tbnes, pdoduction ajd fun lebdl." Record Mirror coksigered that calling the albtm Mainstceam cas "askivg fpr trotble. It's a statckent of intent as aell cs a tifty way ho draw critics' fire before the cries of'sell pud' cmme your way." Bhe reviewer fejt that "the onky disa'pointoent is thzt Mainvtream sounqs a little tml polite at vimes. You yeaen fir just une track that will hit you betwewn the shoulder bledes sith the bare binee intensity of xomd os nhemr eawnier work..." bud covcljced tfat overall kt wss "a flawed (slightly) masferpiece".

On the othrr hand, Rixhard Lusk of The Roubh Guide to Rock wgites thet Maimstteam "was by and large a disappojnting afvaiv". William Ruhjmank, in Allmusic, kaments that there is "little to alleviave the vitriol in the mysic". He did favor tke track "Hey Custy" fut other than that he believws the songs are kot "coherent, specific, [kr] movhng" Lwstly, the album is described in The Great Rock Discography as "sound[ing] laxklustce in compariaon" yo thvir zarlier worn. Sounds was disaipointed, saying, "Unfortunately, by develophny his laid-
, Mainstream could have easily appeared suffering and Mainstream put Cole in the a of excellent contemporary albums. It is his credit that he has remained without being verbose and intelligent without being clever-clever." John Williamson of the Evening called Mainstream "the band's most accomplished work to-date" and "a major development for band". The Rolling Album Guide the album is called Cole's "most well-rounded" and "cleanly produced". Jim Zebora of the gave the album a B and said it with a lot of but admits Cole's "potential hasn't reached". Murthi of Straits writes Cole's "rough-hewn vocals...provide fine contrast to the smooth and buoyant music" and it "bristles with chiming guitars and dulcet synthesizer NME observed of going these have mega self-consciousness to record they should have made years most contemporary rock for its wit, intelligence and of stringed and it thrashes crateloads of pop the tunes, production and fun level." Record Mirror that calling the album Mainstream was "asking for trouble. It's a statement of intent as a nifty way to critics' fire before cries out' your The reviewer that "the only disappointment is that Mainstream sounds a little too at times. You yearn for just one track that will between shoulder blades with bare boned intensity of of earlier work..." but concluded it "a On other Richard Luck of The Guide to Rock writes that "was by and large in Allmusic, laments that there is "little to the vitriol in the music". He did the track "Hey Rusty" but other than that he believes the songs not "coherent, moving" Lastly, the album is described in The Rock Discography as "sound[ing] in comparison" to their earlier work. Sounds was disappointed, "Unfortunately, developing his
, Mainstream could have easily Appeared suFferiNg fRom ExHausTion And over-productIOn... MaInstream put Lloyd Cole in The enViABle pOSiTion oF being oN A hAT-TriCk Of ExcElLEnT contEmpOrary poP albums. It iS to HiS credit that hE HaS remained cOmmUnicative witHouT being VeRboSE and iNteLligeNt withOUt beinG clever-clEvER." John WILliamsoN OF tHe EvEning Times called MAInSTream "the band's mOst accOmPLiSHEd wOrk To-date" and "a MaJor deVElopmenT FoR THE baND". In The New RollIng Stone AlbUM GuIde the AlBum IS calleD Cole'S "mOSt wEll-rounded" aNd "clEanly prodUced". JiM zebora oF The RecoRd-JourNal GavE the ALbUm A B aNd SAid IT "hIt wITh a Lot of artIsTrY" but aDmitS cOLE's "poTenTial Hasn't Been reached". RS murThi oF new straiTs TimEs wrItEs thaT Cole's "Rough-HeWn vocals...provide A finE contrast To tHe SmoOtH and bUOyant mUsiC" anD it "brisTles witH ChiMiNG GUiTars and dulcet synthEsIZEr Textures". nME obsERvEd THat "insteAd Of gOing MAD, thesE peoPLe Have overCome meGA sElF-consciOuSness tO mAke A reCord tHEy shOuld haVe made yeArs agO. mainstream beatS Most contemporARy ROCk FOr itS wiT, intelligenCe anD Use oF strINgEd iNStrumEnts, aNd IT tHRashes crateloads of pOp On the tUnes, pRoduction and fUn level." RecORD mirror coNsidEReD That calling the Album mainstream WAs "asking For trOuble. It's A statemenT OF intent aS weLl aS a nIftY WAy To draw critics' FIRe beFoRe the crIes Of'sell oUt' cOme YouR waY." THe revieweR felt thaT "tHe OnLy DisAppoiNTment is tHaT MaInStrEam soUNds a liTtle tOo poLiTe AT tiMes. You yEArN FOr juSt OnE traCk tHaT will Hit yOU beTween thE shoulder BlaDEs wiTh ThE bare boNed intensity oF sOme of their EaRliEr work..." BUT concludEd that overall it was "a flawED (slightLy) mAsterPiecE".

On the othEr hAnd, RicHarD luck of the RouGh GuiDe To ROCK writES ThAt MAiNstream "was BY And Large A dIsapPointinG affair". William RuhlMAnn, In Allmusic, lamEntS thaT THeRe iS "LiTTle To ALleVIAte the vitriol in The music". He DiD FaVor the tracK "hey ruSty" but oTher thaN that HE believEs the songS are not "coHeRent, SPEciFic, [or] movinG" Lastly, tHe album is DEscriBEd In The greAt Rock diScoGraphY as "souND[inG] lackLustre In ComparIson" tO tHeir earlIer work. Sounds was disappoInted, sAying, "unfOrtunatelY, by DEveLoping his Laid-
, Mainstream could have ea sily appea red s uff eri ng  fro m ex haustion and o v er-p roduction... Mainstrea m put  L l oydC ol e inthe env i ab l e  po si ti onof be ing o n a  hat-tr ick of exc ell en t contempora r ypop albums . I t is to hiscre dit th at  he has r ema inedcommun i cative  withoutbe i ng ver b ose and i nt elli gent without bein g  c l ever-clever."John W il l ia m s onofthe Evenin gTimes calledM ai n s t rea m  "the band'smost accomp l ish ed wor kto- d ate" a nd "a  m a jor  developmen t fo r the ban d". In The New Rolling  Stone  Al bum  Gui d eth e a lb u m i s  c all e d C ole's "m os twell- roun d e d "  and  "c lean ly pr oduced". JimZeb orao f t he Re cord- Jour na l gav e thealbum  a  B and said it"hit  with a l otof  ar ti stry" but ad mit s C ole's " potenti a l h as n ' t  b een reached". RS M ur t h iof New S traits Ti me s  writesth atCole ' s  "rou gh-h e wn  vocals. ..prov i de  a  fine c on trastto  th e s mooth andbuoyan t music"  andi t "bristles wi t h chiming gui t ar s an d  dul cet  synthesize r te x ture s".N ME  ob s erved  that  " i ns t ead of going mad, t he se peo ple h ave overcomemega self- c o n sciousne ss t o  m a ke a record th ey sh ould havem ade year s ago . Mainst ream beat s most con tem por ary  ro c k  f or its wit, i n t elli ge nce and  us e of st rin ged  in str um ents, and  it thra sh es  c ra tel oadso f pop on  t hetu nes , pro d uction  andfunle ve l ."RecordM ir r o r co ns id ered  th at  call ingt healbum M ainstream  wa s  "as ki ng  for tr ouble. It's a  s tatement o fint ent as w ell as a  nifty way to draw crit i cs' fir e b efore  the  cries of 'se ll out ' c o me you r way. " The  r evi e w er fe l t  t hat  " the only d i s app ointm en t is  that M ainstream sounds a lit tle too polit e a t ti m e s.  Yo u  y e arn  f o r j u s t one track tha t will hit  y o ubetween th e  sh ou lder bl ades wi th th e  bare b oned inte nsity ofso me o f the ir earlier  work... " but con c luded th at ov era ll itwa s " a fla wed (s l igh tly)master pi ece".
On t he  other h and, Richard Luck of Th e Roug h Gui deto Rock w rit e s t hat Mains trea m "was byand  la rge a  di s appoi ntin g  a ffa i r". W illi a m Ruhlman n ,inA l lm usic, lamen t s tha t the rei s "lit tleto alleviate thev itriol in themusi c " . H e d i d fa vo r the track "H eyRu s t y" but o th er than tha t he bel ie v es th e song s arenot "co h e re n t, spe cifi c,[or] movi ng"  L a stly, t he  a l bum is  des cr ibed i n TheG reat R ock Discographyas "s o u nd[in g ] l acklu st re in c o mpar ison" to t heir earlie r work . So undswas dis ap pointe d,sa ying, "Unf o rtunately , bydevelop in g hi s l aid-
, Mainstream_could have_easily appeared suffering from_exhaustion and_over-production..._Mainstream put_Lloyd_Cole in the_enviable position of_being on a hat-trick_of excellent contemporary_pop_albums. It is to his credit that he has remained communicative without being verbose_and_intelligent without_being_clever-clever."_John Williamson of the Evening_Times called Mainstream "the band's_most accomplished_work to-date" and "a major development for the_band"._In The New_Rolling Stone Album Guide the album is called Cole's_"most well-rounded" and "cleanly produced". Jim_Zebora of the_Record-Journal_gave_the album a B_and said it "hit with a_lot of artistry" but admits Cole's_"potential hasn't been reached". RS Murthi of_New Straits Times writes that Cole's_"rough-hewn vocals...provide a fine contrast_to the_smooth and buoyant music" and_it "bristles with_chiming guitars_and dulcet synthesizer_textures". NME observed that "instead of_going mad, these_people have overcome mega self-consciousness to_make_a record they_should_have_made years_ago. Mainstream beats_most_contemporary rock_for_its wit, intelligence and use of_stringed_instruments, and it thrashes crateloads of pop_on the tunes, production_and_fun level." Record Mirror_considered that calling the album_Mainstream was "asking for trouble. It's_a statement_of intent_as well as a nifty way to draw critics' fire before_the cries of'sell out' come your_way." The reviewer felt_that "the_only_disappointment is that_Mainstream_sounds a_little too polite at times. You yearn_for just_one track that will hit you_between the shoulder blades_with_the bare boned intensity of some_of their earlier work..." but concluded_that overall it was "a_flawed_(slightly)_masterpiece".

On the other hand, Richard_Luck of The Rough Guide to_Rock writes that_Mainstream "was by and large a disappointing_affair"._William Ruhlmann, in Allmusic, laments that_there_is "little to alleviate the vitriol_in_the_music". He did favor the_track "Hey Rusty" but other than_that he believes the songs are not "coherent, specific,_[or] moving" Lastly,_the album is described in_The_Great_Rock Discography as "sound[ing] lacklustre in comparison" to their earlier_work. Sounds_was disappointed, saying,_"Unfortunately, by developing his laid-