Thom Jurek of Allmusic lauded the improved musicianship, writing: "Weiss has become a stomping drummer, a poignant, ironically comedic lyricist, and a smart-assed vocalist, and Coomes has become a smoking guitar player and a proficient if not deft keyboardist."[REF] .
Critics noted a marked change in sonic direction from their previous efforts, Featuring "Birds" and Field Studies, but had mixed reactions to the changes.