Rolling Stone - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "Conor Oberst's seventh LP is a refreshing renewal of the anxiety-ridden intimacy that marked his earliest work with Bright Eyes nearly 20 years ago..."

Entertainment Weekly - "RUMINATIONS is a vulnerable Conor Oberst cracked open, spilling his soul. Pain is its recurring theme and though Oberst comes close to wallowing in it, the gift is his ability to embrace and absorb it and make it something beautiful." -- Grade: B+

NME (Magazine) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Oberst's evocative character studies add intrigue throughout....Into these tales Oberst weaves his own psychological fractures."

Paste (magazine) - "[T]heir welding of forlorn lyricism and comforting listenability makes the songwriter admirable not just for his craftsmanship, but for his ability to pull through an arduous time with what could be a benchmark album in his already prolific career. For that, Conor Oberst deserves praise."

Pitchfork (Website) - "RUMINATIONS is a record like none other in Oberst's catalog -- stunning for how utterly alone he sounds....[With] just Oberst on harmonica, acoustic and piano with ten songs written during an Omaha winter and recorded in 48 hours."