Straight On till Morning (album)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
Chicago Tribune	[2]
Entertainment Weekly	B[3]
Rolling Stone	[4]

AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine found some criticism in the band's loose musicianship and John Popper's vocal delivery but gave praise to the "succinct and eclectic" track listing containing multiple genres and catchy pop hooks that appeases both the band's "jam-oriented cult following" and their newly gained "hook-happy fans", concluding that "Straight on Till Morning is the first studio record that captures the essence of the band."[1] Entertainment Weekly writer Jim Farber noted the band's jam guitar riffs and percussion beats being more grounded into "appealingly long melodies", Popper's signature harmonica playing and "blithe delivery" of "cute and self-deprecating" humor remain as highlights and the "overall perkiness" throughout the album avoids the musical quirks of Phish and Dave Matthews Band, concluding that "Like the modest period pieces they recall, Blues Traveler’s boogies offer a happy little buzz."[3] Don McLeese of Rolling Stone called the album "sprawlingly ambitious", highlighting "Great Big World" for showcasing the band's trademark instrumentation to its fullest, saying "such high-powered musicianship supports the sort of melodic momentum that’ll grab the ears of those more interested in songs than jams."[4] Conversely, Pat Rooney of the Chicago Tribune said, "With complex arrangements, lush melodies and dreamy imagery, Straight On Till Morning supports the group's reputation for upbeat vibes and improvisational jams. But though the musicianship runs deep, the songcraft comes up short."[2]

Adapted credits from the liner notes of Straight On till Morning.[5]

• John Popper – harmonica, vocals, 12-string acoustic guitar on "Yours"
• Brendan Hill – drums, percussion
• Chan Kinchla – guitars
• Bobby Sheehan – bass
• Warren Hayes – pedal steel guitar
• Michael Barbiero – engineer