[1][2] The band had been the subject of a bidding war, following the early 1994 success of Green Day; it was Samiam's first album for a major label.

"[11] The Philadelphia Inquirer determined that "Samiam favors a thick power-chord attack that supports lithe, wrenching and surprisingly melancholy vocals ...

"[13] The Press-Enterprise stated that Clumsy "flows between hard-core punk and hippie grunge with lyrics telling of childhood pain and misery.

"[14] The Albuquerque Tribune referred to the album as melodic hardcore, filled with "underlined aggression, bottled like a clinched-fisted rage.

"[15] AllMusic wrote that, "'As We're Told' and 'Bad Day' swell with monstrous punk hooks; meanwhile, two slower numbers, 'Tag Along' and 'Cradle' are, respectively, dreamy and angry enough while still retaining can't-miss melodicism.