Less positive reviews, however, came from U.S. publications such as "Rolling Stone" whose writer Mark Coleman criticised the band for what the reviewer considered to be political vacuity: ""Street Fighting Years" stands as an unfortunate example of politicized rock at its most simple-minded." He also opined that the album's production was too clean, describing it as "so studio smooth that every song – whether it's a chugging, multi-layered call to arms ("Take a Step Back") or a floating, ambient meditation ("Let It All Come Down") – virtually slides out of the speakers." "CMJ" took a more positive view, admitting that "Street Fighting Years" "lacks the inspirational anthems of the "Sparkle in the Rain" era" but "focuses attention on the passion of the lyrics, which have a political awareness and social consciousness that keeps those spots where the music falls short up on a high level."