The album was released in May 2006 in the United Kingdom on the Bella Union label and in Australia in July through Liberation. It received critical acclaim, including a perfect 5/5 from musicOMH. "NME" rated it 9/10 and wrote in a review, "By turns beguiling and enthralling, this is an extraordinary album." "Howling Bells" peaked in the Top 100 of the UK Albums Chart and just outside the Top 50 of the Australian Albums Chart. At the time, it was the fastest selling album on the Bella Union label. The release appeared on Album of the Year lists for a number of different publications. In its 22 March 2007 issue, "Rolling Stone" named Howling Bells one of their three bands to watch out for that year.