[4] Mean Everything to Nothing received favorable reviews from music critics upon release and debuted at number thirty seven on the U.S.

He opened his review with the line, "Quick note to the rest of the albums coming out this year: The bar has just been set".

[8] Alternative Press reviewer Tim Karan awarded a maximum score of 5/5 and heaped praise on the album.

He stated, "With 'Nothing, Manchester Orchestra have created what will ineveitably be regarded as one of the landmark releases of 2009, and more noticeable they've exceeded the hype that's surrounded them for nearly three years".

Awarding a score of 91%, he commented that, "The young band has learned a great secret: It’s possible to make a massive, commercial, go-for-the-gusto Rock Record while still holding on to dark idiosyncrasies and seriousness of purpose".

When they're satisfied with rocking the fuck out, they do it exceedingly well, but when they try to acquire the adult answers, they'd do well to chill out and enjoy being young".

They bemoaned, "Their second album is suitably heavy on post-adolescent angst but, for all frontman Andy Hull's best efforts, singularly lacking its own voice.