[2] Both of Threadgill's initial Pi releases attracted critical approval.

The Allmusic review by Thom Jurek awarded the album 4 stars, stating, "This is deft footwork on the part of Threadgill as a leader, who lets his musicians shine and keeps them focused on the task at hand.

Everybody's Mouth's a Book is as solid top to bottom as its companion release on Pi".

[3] The All About Jazz review by Glenn Astarita stated, "Henry Threadgill's importance to modern jazz cannot be denied, as there are few composers who possess such a distinguishable methodology to music in general".

[4] The Boston Phoenix{'}s Ed Hazell stated, "Everybodys Mouth’s a Book, the Make a Move quintet’s second release, feels like a more traditional jazz album: the tempos are faster, and the instrumentation is closer to what you expect from a jazz quintet.