Around the time of Sweet Revenge, Johansen adopted his alter-ego, Buster Poindexter.

[4] For the next 15 years, Buster Poindexter would remain at the forefront of Johansen's music career.

The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote that "the swirling, dreamy music that surrounds him on Sweet Revenge provides a dramatic contrast that complements Johansen's rough growl.

"[9] The Globe and Mail opined that "the synthesizer funk backdrops sound generic rather than eccentrically inspired.

"[10] The Washington Post called it Johansen's best solo album, writing that it "married the gutsiness of the Dolls with the Depression-era sensibility of many of Poindexter's favorites.