It was the band's first studio recording after the return of longtime lead singer Todd Menton, and the addition of guitarist Dean Magraw.

[6] Longtime drummer Robin Anders played on Silver and at the album's live release show, but would leave the group later that year.

[2] Green Man Review writer Chuck Lipsig noted that Menton's presence marked something of a return to the sound of the group's most musically eclectic albums, 1989's From the Ladle to the Grave and 1990's Orb.

Green Man Review writer Robert Tilendis praised the album as "something better than good," with a "high level of musicianship and what I can only see as an intense focus.

"[2] Allmusic's Chris Nickson called the album a strong return to form after a long absence from the studio, and noted that although the band had lost some of its "punk attitude" of 20 years earlier, "older and wiser also translates into more finesse.