[1] The Allmusic review by Sean Westergaard awarded the album 4½ stars out of 5, stating "Initiate is the most fully realized project Cline has devoted himself to yet, and extends the musical frontiers the Singers are capable of not only engaging, but conquering".

[2] The Guardian's John Fordham rated the album 4 stars out of 5, saying, "Don't be deceived by the name – this is really a scorched-earth metal-electronica improvising guitar band that threatens to blow you out of your window...

[3] Writing for All About Jazz, Matt Marshall stated "With its combination of studio precision and live energy, Initiate presents the most complete picture available of The Nels Cline Singers".

[7] Pitchfork Media's Joe Tangari stated "More than anything, Initiate shows a band whose sense of give and take and intuitive interplay is extremely well-developed.

Cline is able to lead his compatriots just about anywhere his mind wants to wander, and they follow him easily, whether he's merging Frippertronics with jazz, out-krautrocking Wilco, or bringing in David Witham to play a crazy, 1960s-tinged organ solo.