[6] Big White Lies was among the first albums to include CD-ROM liner notes and interactive features; Heyday Records considered the costs to be a better investment than producing a music video.

"[11] The San Francisco Chronicle called the songs "a wealth of lovely melodies, hook-laden harmonies and chiming 12-string guitars.

"[12] The Gavin Report stated that the "instantly accessible power pop appeals to ... ears in the same way Big Star or the Beatles do.

"[10] AllMusic wrote: "Not quite powerful enough to fall cleanly into the 'power pop' camp, the songs lean more to the spectrum's lush, highbrow end, with elegant guitar lines, soaring harmonies, and occasional use of organ, strings, and French horn.

"[9] In 2003, PopMatters noted that, "to this day, many cite his hook- and harmony-filled 1994 release Big White Lies as the quintessential power pop album.