Upon release, pan-European magazine
Music & Media noted: "Right when you've written off the eternal nobleman as a lost crooner, he returns with a vengeance. Surrounded by ambitious musicians, Palmer has provided his most inspired album in years." David Hiltbrand of
Entertainment Weekly stated: "The British singer mostly plays to his strong suits: suave, double-breasted vocals, unconventional but funky rhythms, and exotic Afro-Carib musical flourishes. It all fuses on "Know by Now," the sort of bittersweet up-tempo ballad at which Palmer excels. Later on he indulges in some empty hard-rock posturing abetted by
Extreme's
Nuno Bettencourt. But at least Palmer steers clear of the stuffy piano-lounge standards that have marred so many of his recent releases." In a retrospective review, Leslie Mathew of
AllMusic said: "...Palmer himself sounds as inhumanly suave as ever, though much of the material is a prescription for déjà vu. Ironically, given its title, this album is much more hard-edged than
Heavy Nova and
Riptide. Highlights include "Know By Now," a tasty mid-paced rocker, and "Nobody But You," a twitchy, coiled funk ditty.
Honey has its moments, and plenty to spare, but it also occasionally gives the impression of a man who's trying too hard."
Get Ready to Rock! wrote: "
Honey saw him back exploring an eclectic mix of World music, funk, jazz, rock/pop and dance. But once again the constant switching of styles is somewhat unsettling." ==Track listing==