In 1983, Robert Palmer of The New York Times called Waiting one of "the summer's worthier record releases... that shouldn't be overlooked". He added, "The songs are full of barbed political and social commentary with a decidedly English bias. The harmonies and melodic twists and turns are reminiscent of 1930's pop, and the odd but effective arrangements feature trombone, cello and other orchestral instruments in a kind of music hall mélange."
In 1983, Robert Palmer of The New York Times highlighted Waiting as one of "the summer's more notable record releases... worth noting". He observed that the songs are rich in pointed social commentary with a strong British influence. The harmonies and melodic twists are evocative of 1930s pop, and the arrangements feature trombone, cello, and other orchestral instruments in a distinctive music hall fusion.