[8] The Washington Post noted that "Rich downplays drums and hard beats in favor of insinuating melodies, replaces the contemporary emphasis on lust with old-fashioned romantic notions, and sings softly in a lithe, silky tenor reminiscent of his friend (and co-executive producer) Babyface.

"[12] The New York Times called the album "a soundtrack for seducers who can't stop thinking about the awkwardness of the morning after.

"[13] The Los Angeles Times concluded that "after a while, this procession of soothing, slow-to mid-tempo numbers can seem a bit staid and monotonous.

"[10] The Chicago Tribune opined that "Rich's greatest virtue is his understatedness; he makes mood music that is more spiritual than sexual ...

"[15] AllMusic wrote that "Birdseye remains a remarkably romantic record, one of the rare albums whose seduction feels genuine, not prepackaged.