ˈɔːl mjˈuːzɪk kəmpˈɛɹd ðə sˈaʊndz ʌv fˈaɪv fɔːɹ fˈaɪɾɪŋz deɪbjˈuː tə bˈɪli dʒˈoʊl, bˈɛn fˈoʊldz, ænd stˈiːli dˈæn, kˈɔːlɪŋ mˈɛsɪdʒ fɔːɹ ˈælbɚt "ɪntˈɛlɪdʒənt ænd wˈɛlkɹˈæftᵻd."
AllMusic compared the sounds of Five for Fighting's debut to Billy Joel, Ben Folds, and Steely Dan, calling Message for Albert "intelligent and well-crafted."