[1] CMJ New Music Monthly lauded "Matthew Modine" as "hilarity" with "salacious lines" that "ultimately leave (listeners) wanting more", comparing it to Toni Basil's "Mickey".
[2] The Village Voice described it as "deceptively simple", with "kicky naughtiness" in its lyrics and "'50s girl-group ooohs and ahhhhs and 'Surfin' Bird' papa-oom-mow-mows" in its vocals.
called it "infectious", stating that listeners may "want to hate" it, but that it is nonetheless "hard to resist";[4] similarly, NOW categorized it as "bubble-gum" and "a perfect popcult novelty hit.
[6] The Indiana Daily Student faulted the song's vocals as "Mates of State-esque" and "(unable to) pass the first round of American Idol", further stating that the "Yoko Ono-esque orgasmic shrieking" at the song's conclusion is "obnoxious", and that the lyrics' description of female sexual arousal is "yucky".
[7] In a 2006 interview, the band's co-vocalist Laura Wills reported that Modine's manager had contacted them and offered to arrange a meeting — "If you're ever in the New York area, let us know.