Up Popped the Two Lips

[2] Both of Threadgill's initial Pi Recordings releases attracted critical approval.

The Allmusic review by Thom Jurek awarded the album 4 stars, stating, "This is a fun, deft, and smart record.

Threadgill is more on his game as a composer and as a bandleader than at any point in his career.

"[3] The All About Jazz review by Glenn Astarita stated, "it is a joy to delve into the band's multidirectional evolutionary processes.

"[4] The Boston Phoenix's Ed Hazell stated, "Threadgill has mixed these elements before, but not all in one working band, and he’s rarely given himself as much solo room in music so heavily composed.