John Duffy of
AllMusic noted that "the general shift in direction may alienate a few long-term fans, but much like friends
Wilco achieved with their adventurous
Summerteeth,
Smile's modern touches may bring even more people into the band's orbit", concluding that "what never changes on the Jayhawks' albums, it seems, are the blissful melodies and well-constructed tunes, and that may just be enough for even the toughest critics." Similarly, Ryan Kearney of
Pitchfork noted that "If hardcore
Mark Olson-era Jayhawks' fans felt betrayed by the dark pop of 1997's
Sound of Lies, they'll be downright vigilant after hearing
Smile", but that the album, while not as "artistically successful" as
Summerteeth, was nonetheless "one of the finer, genuinely happy albums of the year."
The Guardians Tom Cox hailed it as a "brilliant enough record ... written and delivered with the cynicism-free belief that rock'n'roll is still something vital and anthemic to the general public." In a mixed review, the
NME wrote that "as sweet as it often is on the surface, it seems like there's something deeply selfish underpinning The Jayhawks' new approach."
The Village Voices
Robert Christgau wrote that the band, without Olson's contributions, were now "as vapid as late
Poco and then some" and "aspire to the generalization level of transcendentalist parlor ballads,
Hallmark cards, and, increasingly,
Music Row." ==Track listing==