Upon its release, Ramparts called the album "Vivid, lyrical – but at times maudlin and self-indulgent, American Gothic is [Ackles'] best to date".

[6] Robert Christgau's review was critical, writing "'I won't get maudlin,' Ackles promises midway into the second side, locking himself in the barn as the dappled stallion gallops to join his brothers and sisters on the open range with his mane flying free in the breeze.

"[3] In its retrospective review, AllMusic wrote "American Gothic remains one of those great albums that never found its audience.

"[1] American Gothic was included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

[7] Mojo called it "one of the most beautiful but rarely heard albums of his era".