[7] Trouser Press wrote: "Like much of this amazing, unexpected album, McKee splits her convictions between the music and the words, sinning and saving herself in a fission explosion that blasts into the spirit of rock'n'roll.

"[11] The Guardian concluded that "languid backing by California session pros Jim Keltner, Benmont Tench et al, does nothing to spice up Maria's clear voice, or tumbleweed 'n' dust affairs.

"[12] Johnny Dee of NME described the album as "good, occasionally inspired, stuff" on which McKee "adopts a heavily rootsical approach, mixing R&B, country and Southern soul into a melancholic rock pot".

"[10] Ian Gittins of Melody Maker described the album as "no disgrace", but felt that it "still falls inevitably short of the sacred heights she scales live".

He considered George Drakoulias' production to be "partly the problem", with the tracks "riddled with parping brass and cheesy keyboards", and added that the music is "frequently lame" and "spirited belters are few".