[9] Dan Wilson felt that it was the first Trip Shakespeare album over which the band had almost total creative control.

[11] The Philadelphia Daily News wrote that Trip Shakespeare "spins wry tales of simple sorts who're back in town—a guy obsessed by his girlfriend's mouth, another who's sadly watching his sweetheart move out, a woman who's wasting her life away working nights and weekends at a convenience store.

"[14] The Chicago Tribune noted that Lulu "consists of power melody guitars and full-throated vocal harmonies, supported by John Munson's rubbery fretless bass and set into relief by Matt and Dan Wilson's honeyed lead vocals.

"[13] The Washington Post called the band "lightweight, tuneful and appealing in a slightly too-chirpy way.

"[15] The Gazette determined that "the Wilsons are pop kleptomaniacs, lifting melodies as familiar as the girl next door and breathing life into them with perfect three-part full-colour harmonies.