[6] The Orlando Sentinel concluded that, "although modern, metallic sounds shape the bouncing, bending rhythm of the title song, for instance, there's a touch of old- fashioned call-and-response interplay in the vocals.

"[12] USA Today opined that "what's nice about this album, though, is the band's mature, unfunky handling of slow tunes ... 'Leaving You' shows they can be true balladeers.

"[14] The New York Amsterdam News determined that although Animal "is thigh-high in funk-fortified R&B, the music is never dated.

"[1] AllMusic wrote that "it's important to remember that the Bar-Kays never stopped being a good band—it was taste and fashion that twisted the knife and pushed them aside.

"[11] The Rolling Stone Album Guide thought that "their best cuts resemble lite pastiches of other bands' refinements.