Jackson skips deftly across shifting sonic currents to create an LP that's about the interplay between opposites: black and white, male and female, mugger and muggee. Though the singer is by no means entirely surefooted, when he connects, he's uncommonly graceful and engaging.

— Rolling Stone (US), 27 Nov. 1980 ()

... a major departure in style, lyrics, and sound. Casting away his previous power-pop label, Jackson casts himself in the reggae/innovative rock mold. ... This album will either disorient or enlighten Jackson's old fans, and ought to attract some aesthetes who had dismissed him as a lightweight; he has grown as a poet and musician.

— The Harvard Crimson (US), 4 Dec. 1980 ()

Further reviews:

• Billboard (US), 25 Oct. 1980
• New Musical Express (UK), 11 Oct. 1980
• Musik-Express (DE), Dec. 1980
• Stereo Review (US), Jan. 1980
• Creem (US), Febr. 1980
• Sounds (DE), Dec. 1979
• Stereoplay (DE), Jan. 1980
• Die Zeit (DE), 25 Jan. 1980
• Mucchio Selvaggio (IT), March 1980