Stephen Holden, writing in
The New York Times, called the album "superb" and the title track "the album's most stunning moment".
Greg Sandow, writing for
Entertainment Weekly, graded the album
B, and stated "'Life Is Eternal' breathes an air of genuine uplift" and "'
Better Not Tell Her' and the title track sound firm, tender, and genuine, with pointed melodies and an airy outdoor aura". In a retrospective review from
AllMusic, William Ruhlmann rated the album three stars out of five: "Simon has always written songs for her age group; here, it's the fortysomethings of the 1990s. At the end, "We Just Got Here" provides the summer's-end metaphor for middle age." Ruhlmann also singled out the tracks "Better Not Tell Her" and "Fisherman's Song". ==Awards==