Spin (12/96, p.146) - 6 (out of 10) - "Charlottesville, Virginia poet David Berman specializes in folksy, hungover country-rock: twinkling jangle pops through the melancholy, only to be beaten down like the little plastic rodents in a carnival `Whack-a-Mole' game..."
Alternative Press (2/97, p.69) - 4 (out of 5) - "...just sing along to feathery, non-wilting folk-drawlers of high order whose simple rants are fun along the lines of Tom Petty, Gordon Lightfoot or, um, John Coltrane's ballads..."
Option (1-2/97, pp.104-105) - "...Berman's deep voice is mixed way up front, like he's leaning out from the speakers to talk to you, and the musicians...are flawless and enthusiastic. His poetic lyrics are some of his best and funniest ever....pensive, religious, history-laden songs..."
Melody Maker (12/21-28/96, pp.66-67) - Ranked #18 on Melody Maker's list of 1996's `Albums Of The Year.'
Silver Jews: David Berman, Matt Hunter, Rian Murphy, Peyton Pinkerton, Michael Deming.