Upon release, "Sheryl Crow" received very positive reviews from music critics. Eric Weisbard of "Spin" praised the album's production, stating that the record "goes much further" than its predecessor and that its "bigger beats and dirtier guitar/keyboard effects well with Crow's literate hippie-chick persona". David Browne of "Entertainment Weekly" stated similar pros, commenting: "If there's such a thing as a professional lo-fi album, "Sheryl Crow" is it." He also noted Crow's louder and more assured singing, concluding that she "doesn't expose that much of herself [... she's an emotional centrist. But at the very least, she's building a bridge to a lasting career". Writing for "The Baltimore Sun", J. D. Considine praised Crow's vocals, especially on "If It Makes You Happy", which he felt was probably the album's best song.