Meanwhile ... Back in the States

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[9]
Alternative Rock	6/10[3]
Duluth News Tribune	8/10[12]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music	[13]
Omaha World-Herald	[14]
The Rolling Stone Record Guide	[15]
Shreveport Journal	B[16]
Toronto Star	[17]

The Lincoln Journal Star called the Boom Boom Band "the leading Boston punk rock band", noting that Alexander "comes up with some intriguing street intellectualism."^[18] The Daily Illini stated that Alexander "prefers a slightly echoed deadpan delivery that was popular in the early '70s with David Bowie, Lou Reed and Mott the Hoople."^[19] The Boston Globe said, "The rock is grittier and more accessible, the Boom Boom band is more dynamically involved and Alexander has tightened his vocals into a more rhythmic style without sacrificing his offbeat charm."^[5]

The Shreveport Journal opined that "the band recalls the early Who"; The Buffalo News likened the sound to "pure Rolling Stones raunch".^[16][20] The Spokesman-Review said that Alexander "has the perfect punk voice".^[21] The Duluth News Tribune praised the "brilliant incoherence" and "flash of unique rock and roll genius."^[12] The Los Angeles Times noted the "slightly perverse, oddball charm", while concluding that the band had more in common with Bad Company than with new wave music.^[10] The Toronto Star called Meanwhile ... Back in the States "sleazy and definitely not chic."^[17]