In the Sarasota Herald-Tribune Wade Tatangelo wrote, "The Allman Betts Band's debut album Down to the River delivers a most welcome serving of Southern comfort....

"[3] Stephen Thomas Erlewine said on AllMusic, "Allman and Betts are intentionally following in the footsteps of their fathers, so they've chosen to work with a limited palette, one that cherry-picks the best moments of the past.

"[4] In Blues Rock Review Pete Francis said, "Expectations were high for this album, but the Allman Betts Band delivers the goods.

Intention, spirit, and non-verbal understanding are crucial to making a band like this matter.... Down to the River is the best rock album thus far in 2019 and has the potential to be a game-changer.

"[6] In Spectrum Culture Justin Cober-Lake said, "The songwriting itself feels post-Allman Brothers, in that line, but a little more in the groove and less ready to jam; think more of a pop sensibility and less Eat a Peach.... Not surprisingly, it's a highly professional album, and in the hands of producer Matt Ross-Spang (Margo Price, Lucero and many more), it sounds great.