Gano further claimed that Harrison had been suggested by Warners, "solely on the basis that he lives in Milwaukee, because we'd stipulated to them that we had to record there.

[1] People gave a positive review, stating "the group maintains enough humor and angst to keep even their religious songs fresh....

This third album gives more evidence that the Violent Femmes rank with the very best bands of the 1980s", while singling out the song "Breakin' Hearts" as a highlight.

[5] However, in a retrospective of their debut album, The Atlantic mentions The Blind Leading the Naked is "their first unmitigated disaster, a crassly commercial piece of pandering.

"[6] Spin said, "This is a great album, one that may finally earn the Violent Femmes the attention they deserve.