In his review of the "Apple Years" box set, for "Classic Rock" magazine, Paul Trynka writes that "The surprise of this set, though, is the albums whose quietness and introspection were out of tune with the mid-70s. "Dark Horse" … packed with beautiful, small-scale moments." While identifying "Simply Shady" and the title track among the standouts, Trynka adds: "Only 'Ding Dong, Ding Dong' embarrasses …" AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine describes "Dark Horse" as "a mess but … a fascinating one".