"...The overall mood of the album is for the most part melancholy with a few light menacing movements (Marian, Some Kind of Stranger). This contributes to the almost breathtaking atmosphere of the album. It is considered a gem among many who listen to "dark music" because of the atmosphere of the album. It gives off this haunting feeling from the first listen of "Black Planet" up to the last song "Some Kind of Stranger" (my favorite song on the album). Andrew Eldritch's voice sends shivers down your spines when he goes from the lower part of his range up to his highs. The song that best describes what I mean is "Some Kind of Stranger" towards the end of the song.

A noticeable thing about this album is how catchy this album is compared to most of the big four’s early catalog. All songs do have choruses and this is for the most part why the songs are more catchy than the early catalog of the big four of proto-goth because a lot of songs from these bands did not contain choruses (except for maybe Siouxsie and The Banshee and Bauhaus). However, Eldritch would only write more catchy material on the next album from The Sisters of Mercy.

Overall, if anyone has any remote interest in moody music, dark music, gothic tendencies of any sorts, give this album a listen. You will mostly not be disappointed by the depressing mood of this album."

- Sputnik Music