[2][3] Rolling Stone ranked it 50th on their list of the 50 greatest prog-rock albums of all time.

[4] In a review for AllMusic, Donald A. Guarisco called the album "a solid prog outing that will find favor with those who enjoy art rock at its most complex and ambitious," and wrote: "Though it met with little commercial success, Happy the Man's 1977 debut quickly became a cult sensation with fans of prog rock.

It's easy to see why: their sound combines a number of diverse influences in a distinctive manner, and their music is as complex and meticulously arranged as any prog album one cares to mention.

"[5] A writer for Rolling Stone stated that the album represents "the band at its most dynamic, highlighted by intricate instrumental interplay as far-out as the song titles.

"[4] Mike McLatchey of Exposé Online described the album as "one of the best debuts of all time and an essential item," noting that it is "some of the best, most elaborate and sophisticated symphonic rock ever produced, played by technical geniuses.