In the two years since the Long Ryders signed with Island, several key employees had left the label's A&R department, and the new team, according to Griffin, showed little interest in the band and the release of Two-Fisted Tales.

They wrote that the Long Ryders' instrumentation, which includes mandolin, autoharp, lap steel and accordion, "reflects their allegiance to traditional Americana music.

[19] The Los Angeles Times wrote, "The title of the album reflects why it's a lot better than the L.A. quartet’s 1985 major-label debut, State of Our Union.

And that's just what it does with a variety of guitar-rock styles ranging from the rollicking riffing of "Gunslinger Man" to the moody, Byrds-like delicacy of "Baby's in Toyland" ... Ed Stasium's power-packed production gives the band's sound more dimension than it's had before, especially Greg Sowders’ strong drumming.

"[16] Record Collector noted the band's "social conscience" on "Harriet Tubman's Gonna Carry Me Home", and its political side on the anti-Ronald Reagan "Gunslinger Man" and anti-war "A Stitch in Time".

"[18] Louder Than War felt that the album has a good balance, "seamlessly blending hard-driving country rockers like "Gunslinger Man" with slow-burning numbers like ... epic ballad "Harriet Tubman's Gonna Carry Me Home" and melodic love songs such as "I Want You Bad".

"[21] Mojo thought the music ranks as some of the band's finest[17] and Trouser Press called it "an enjoyable album nicely produced in a variety of appealing styles".

[12] God is in the TV wrote that the album at times shows "flashes of visionary creativity" but that "all too often it's difficult to pin down any definite musical direction."