"[2] In an interview with Blender magazine, the band said during the writing and recording that they had almost broken up, calling that time one of their "darkest" moments.

[5] Spin described the sound on the album as a "more melodic" alternative rock, recalling Pixies, Belly and Siouxsie Sioux.

Online gave the album an A− and said, "The group cuts through style in pursuit of substance, using Fever to Tell's slow-burning hit 'Maps' as a jump-off point.

"[17] Los Angeles Times gave the album three-and-a-half stars out of four and called it "minimalist rock with real feeling and a subversive, epic range.

"[7] musicOMH likewise gave the album four stars out of five and called it "the sound of a band irretrievably, irresistibly and deservedly hurtling towards the big time.

Music UK gave it a score of seven stars out of ten and called it "flawed, but applause for adding vulnerability to [the band's] game plan, at the very least.

[7] Prefix Magazine also gave it a positive review and called it "much more accessible than its predecessor, but there isn't really a 'Maps' to serve as a gateway.

"[7] The Guardian gave it two stars out of five and said that "despite finding some hooks worth pilfering, the band are still struggling to raise their game beyond White Stripes-goth-lite.

[27] In the United Kingdom, the album had sold 112,819 copies by March 2009,[28] and was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) on July 22, 2013.