"Classic Rock" magazine opined that "Tattoo" was an album that "crossed many genres of rock and roll and showcased the writing talents of Rory Gallagher more than any of his previous records." BBC's reviewer noted that while Gallagher "toured constantly," he still "found time away from the stage to write so many great songs," adding that ""Tattoo" is perhaps the pick of the bunch: a near-perfect document of the powerful, passionate performances that placed Rory in a league of his own." For the reviewer, the album was "a scintillating showcase for Rory’s mastery of his craft" from "the laid back vibe of opener "Tattoo'd Lady," the raunchy riffing of "Cradle Rock" and "Admit It" to quieter moments such as the acoustically driven "20:20 Vision."