[8] An article in Music Week in January 1984 states that Linn's aim was to make very high quality vinyl records, "..to compete with CCD, rather than following the general trend towards digital" and "..put out audiophile-standard discs, at normal price".

"[14] The album was recorded over five months in 1983 at Castlesound Studios, which Malcolm had set up in 1979 in the former primary school building in the village of Pencaitland, 12 miles (19 km) east of Edinburgh.

Living first in a rented flat in Edinburgh, and then later sleeping on Malcolm's floor when their money ran out, the band laboured over the album because all the sounds on the record had to be created and played physically.

The remastering process was overseen by original engineer Calum Malcolm, along with contributions by Paul Buchanan and Robert Bell, who chose the songs for the bonus CD.

[27] Melody Maker proclaimed, "The Blue Nile's stunning debut album seduces the emotions as well as the senses, and instead of fighting its effect, the sensible thing to do is relax and enjoy it ...

Like a good book you don't want it to end, but when it does that thrilling potency loses nothing in repetition ... A Walk Across the Rooftops generates a rarefied atmosphere that's a comfort to the soul.

"[31] However, Spin was not so impressed, criticising the relentlessly downbeat tone of the tracks and Buchanan's singing, saying, "that's what makes this collection begin to wear on the nerves.

"[32] AllMusic said, "The seven lengthy tracks on A Walk Across the Rooftops all follow the model of the opener, with Paul Buchanan's rich voice at the center of near-symphonic arrangements that manage to sound lush and incredibly austere at the same time.

The tempos are deadly slow, with the most upbeat track, 'Tinseltown in the Rain', barely rising above a graceful saunter, and the inventive arrangements make extensive use of empty space.

"[20] Reviewing the 2012 remastered version, BBC Music claimed that the album was "still a landmark, still high, still somehow intangible ... 1984's A Walk Across the Rooftops remains unique in its fusion of chilly technology and a pitch of confessional, romantic soul that 'alternative' types would usually shy away for fear it wasn't 'cool' ... in the years since, its peerless power to affect has accrued multiple layers of rueful resonance.

This was a necessity as none of the members were trained musicians, but the resulting album of very simple, carefully constructed compositions proved far greater than the sum of its parts.

Both albums present emotive, electro-acoustic mood pieces with elements of soul and classical minimalism ... exquisite music for the small hours in which little is said but much is revealed".