[10] Entertainment Weekly wrote: "A few tracks are little more than well-worn white R&B riffs with throwaway lyrics.

But after years of second-banana status and flop albums that would demoralize the best of us, Lofgren displays a feisty exuberance on Silver Lining that's close to inspirational.

"[16] The Windsor Star thought that "each cut here is a carefully thought-out rock statement, marvellously melodic, and exciting.

"[15] The Ottawa Citizen determined that the album "has a strong blues influence interwoven with Lofgren's biting, melodic rock...

"[18] AllMusic wrote that, "although Lofgren is a rocker first and foremost, he is hardly oblivious to soul music and the blues.