[6][n 1] The photographs of the band which adorn the front and rear cover of the initial release of The Undertones were taken in Bull Park, Derry, in late January 1979 following the completion of the Eden Studios recording sessions of the LP.

The band's skyward-looking pose on the front cover of this version was inspired by the artwork of another debut album, The Who's My Generation.

[9] According to lead guitarist Damian O'Neill, although delighted with the critical reception of their debut album, the band were unprepared for the wave of appraisal from music journalists such as Paul Morley.

"[21] In May 1979, Paul Morley of NME proclaimed that the group "make the great, elusive, valuable new pop of our time, along with Blondie, Elvis Costello, the Ramones and Buzzcocks.

[The] rhythm guitar sets up a staggered change of lucid authority, lead guitar offsets with deft and versatile detail, the rhythm seamlessly steers, the juicy harmonies soar and counterpoint, and the consummate, matter-of-fact genius phrasing of warbling singer Feargal Sharkey conclusively makes each song perfect and breathtaking.

"[23] Dave McCullough of Sounds declared the Undertones as a "wee band of pure, straight ahead magic", stating the album was "real-life depicted by real people with stunning precision.

It's the Undertones' quite remarkable panache for using all the clipped songspace to elastic proportions, bulging and burgeoning the strict, fruitfully disciplined allocation to produce fire and brimstone rock and roll thunder.