ɪn tˈuː θˈaʊzənd ˈeɪt, fɚɹɚ ɹᵻvjˈuː ʌv nˈuː ɹiːˈɪʃuːz ʌvðə bˈændz fˈɜːst θɹˈiː ˈælbəmz, pˈɪtʃfɔːɹk ˈɛdɪɾɚ dʒˈoʊ tæŋɡˈɑːɹɹi ɹˈoʊt "sˈɛkəndz ɹˈaɪdz ɐ hɪpnˈɑːɾɪk bˈeɪs lˈaɪn tʊ ɐ fˈaɪnəl vˈɜːs ðæt kənflˈeɪts nˈuːklɪɹ stˈændɔf wɪð ɐ dˈæns kɹˈeɪz".
In 2008, for a review of new reissues of the band's first three albums, Pitchfork editor Joe Tangari wrote "'Seconds' rides a hypnotic bass line to a final verse that conflates nuclear standoff with a dance craze".