[3] In 1989, Jon Pareles wrote that "Field Trip sometimes sounds like other bands - among them the Meat Puppets, Camper van Beethoven and the Descendents - but its fervor, precision and tunefulness are striking.
In a mixed review of the band's debut album, Beautiful, Nancy Dingley wrote, "There is nothing particularly new about Field Trip's version of folk/rock: it's that familiar combination of well-mixed, tight tracks and honest, spunky and downright odd lyrics."
"[8] Trouser Press's Ira Robbins wrote that "With fine playing and tunes that make fast friends on one spin, Headgear [the band's second album] is a delight.
"[2] Greg Sandow was less favorable in his review of the album, giving it a B− grade and writing, "Teen pop and knife-edged hardcore rock make a lively, if sometimes dour, blend.
"[9] The Chicago Tribune's David Rothschild gave their third album, Ripe, a 2.5 star (out of 4) rating, writing, "Field Trip's energy and enthusiasm are as contagious as a case of the chickenpox in a kindergarten classroom.