[12] The Chicago Tribune labeled the album "screechy, crazed rock 'n' roll; mellow but demented guitar-noodling instrumentals; weird folk- and jazz-based material; and strange country ballads that are endearing in their not-quite-right way.

"[19] The Daily Post called the album a "masterpiece" that encompasses "country and folknik styles as well as rock".

[20] The Boston Globe advised: "Envision Arlo Guthrie making punk records and you've got the idea.

"[11] AllMusic noted, "While Chadbourne still flies off on meandering guitar tangents and noise excursions, the instrumental talents of CVB provide a better anchor so that the individual tracks don't degenerate into chaos.

"[13] The Spin Alternative Record Guide said that Chadbourne "brought out the best elements of [CVB's] (sometimes scattershot) eclecticism".