The Great Brain Robbery (album)

A review in the magazine Welsh Bands Weekly described The Great Brain Robbery as "fucking amazing", praising the performance of vocalist Davey MacManus as well as the "perfect harmony between voices and instruments".[6] Songs such as "Mrs Playing Dead" and "On Something" were highlighted, with the reviewer naming "Ella Luciana" as the best song on the album.[6] Music magazine Kerrang! praised the album as an "eclectic, moving and passionate" work, praising MacManus and guitarist Dan Boone and labelling it "an album to cherish".[3] In its review of the single "On Something", Kerrang! highlighted the track as an example of "the undescribable, cross-genre appeal of the folky punk 'n' rollers".[7]

Melody Maker writer Daniel Booth was less positive, however, awarding The Great Brain Robbery two and a half out of five stars and describing it as "the sound of poorly articulated angst slowly worming its way up its own arse".[4] Booth directed particular criticism at MacManus's vocal style, and concluded by labelling the album a "crock of shit".[4] The NME were similarly critical, awarding the album a rating of three out of ten and criticising an apparent "Midwest American" style of the material.[5]