[8] The Washington Post thought that "Shudder hasn't sacrificed any of its cleverness, but it has added a little bit of soul, which is what makes this the band's most compelling album.

"[18] Guitar Player wrote that "the band forgets about punk credibility and lets guitarist Nathan Larson fashion the kind of gleaming pop-metal hooks that his gutsy playing has always hinted at.

"[19] The Chicago Tribune noted that "STT has purged much of the complexity from its sound, leaving a brash, sophisticated power pop in its place.

"[10] Spin opined that, "for fully half the tracks on this album, Wedren's voice could not unfairly be compared to that of Journey's Steve Perry.

"[15] The Sunday Times declared that "'Beauty Strike' is the perfect Shudder to Think song, rushing at breakneck speed round unpredictable musical blind corners, an irresistible melody nailed to its back bumper, but the album is eventually marooned in a swamp of lumpy metallic riffing.