Upon release, "Billboard" stated: "This veteran band has always worked best when it's worked without a net - turning out slightly loose and loopy songs cut through with a frenetic rock edge. "Monster," with the expected mix of pleasantly rocking power ballads and pounding stompers, isn't the band at its best, but there are flashes of that earlier edge in "Woke Up with a Monster" and the sexy little romp "Ride the Pony"." Troy J. Augusto of "Cash Box" commented: "The band's first collaboration with super-producer Ted Templeman, who gives Cheap Trick's umpteenth album a sharper, more rocking edge, similar to your favorite late-70's/early-80's Cheap Trick. "My Gang", "You're All I Wanna Do" and "Girlfriends" show a recharged, tightly-wound band back in peak form."