Waikiki (album)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[12]
Calgary Herald	[13]
Fort Worth Star-Telegram	[14]
Los Angeles Times	[11]
North County Times	A−[6]

The Austin Chronicle thought that, "ultimately, pure adrenal thunder is fluf's biggest attribute, but whether that's truly enough is questionable."^[8] The Calgary Herald called the band "a taut three-piece that simply rears back and delivers edgy, contemporary, no-frills, topical rock 'n' roll that manages to be angry and articulate at the same time."^[13] The North County Times said that "the band displays a mastery of the art of writing catchy, sing-along songs without losing rock 'n' roll intensity."^[6]

The Los Angeles Times concluded: "In his own gruff way, [singer] O may be the most openhearted guy in all of modern rock. His main subject, as always, is the close-in examination of relationships--romantic or comradely--in which the ties that bind are often unwinding."^[11] The San Diego Union-Tribune deemed the album "meaty, Husker Du-like guitar chords and tightly constructed melodies."^[7] The Fort Worth Star-Telegram determined that "throughout Waikiki, the threesome with a big sound but a warm heart stirs up all sorts of fun, sweet noise, with first-letter-only leader O's clever guitar playing and husky voice leading the way."^[14]

AllMusic wrote that "the lingering influence of Hüsker Dü can be clearly heard in such blasting yet warmly touching songs as 'Pushin' Back Days', while there's even a hint of the Cure's rushed guitar pop at points, especially in 'Class Action'."^[12]