The album received positive reviews from critics, and got the band to sign with major record label Interscope.

[3] "The Ice of Boston" was later released on an extended play of the same name on October 16, 1998, during their brief stint with Interscope Records.

[2] In Metro, Nicky Baxter praised the album for being "wonderfully varied", finding that "no two tracks sound alike" and ultimately describing it as "a mess that's hard to resist.

Club published a positive review, saying "Odds are good that you'll find something you like right off the bat, and the rest will grow on you before you realize it.

"[11] Tiny Mix Tapes wrote that with The Dismemberment Plan Is Terrified, the band "completely annihilates the term sophomore slump".