[4][8] The album was recorded as a trio, with former Swell Maps member Jowe Head and drummer Jeffrey Bloom accompanying Dan Treacy.

[9] Jason Ankeny of AllMusic gave the album a positive review, describing it as "one of the group's most personal and dark records.

"[2] Chicago Tribune critic David Levinsky wrote that "the LP suffers from overly lush production, supplying one too many monolithic synth chords."

Levinsky also stated: "We get a record suffering from the shotgun approach: a couple of exceptional singles and a lot of also-rans.

"[3] In contrast, Ira Robbins of Trouser Press stated: "Privilege dresses Treacy's characteristically direct songs with just the right amount of keyboards, and his voice is as boyishly engaging as ever.