Media response to
Saint Dymphna was generally positive; aggregating website
Metacritic reported a
normalised rating of 78 out of 100 in October 2008 based on 27 critical reviews. Marc Masters of
Pitchfork claimed that "the newfound clarity produces neither thinness nor tedium, but simply a direct, unadulterated power".
Slant Magazines M. Clark gave
Saint Dymphna a rating of three-and-a-half stars out of five, one of the lowest that it received from notable publications, and commented that Gang Gang Dance's energy "often falls flat and their eclecticism is more distracting than compelling". Critic
Robert Christgau described the album in an Honorable Mention review as "soundscape
dance-rock more artful than arty." Maddy Costa of
The Guardian also suggested that the album is eclectic, but gave it a favourable rating by concluding that it is "arranged with exquisite precision".
Saint Dymphna figured highly in several end-of-year best album lists for 2008, notably, at number three by Cokemachineglow, and at number 13 by
Drowned in Sound. It was named Best Album of 2008 by
FACT. == Track listing ==