Jonah Bayer's review: "...while Smith has penned dozens of great songs, 'From a Basement on the Hill' is truly, and tragically, his first great album."

Alexis Petridis' review: "You are left wondering how anything as terrible as the anguish detailed in 'King's Crossing' or 'Fond Farewell' could inspire music this lovely, with its soaring choruses and beatific harmonies and irresistible pop sensibility." Five stars.

Nick Catucci's review: "...smears this palette into sooty, disheveled garage surrealism?true colors for a complicated, complicating individual."