Day's performances with "American Idol" have caused a divergence of opinions among music critics. Following Day's elimination from the competition, Jessica Shaw of "Entertainment Weekly" concurred with the contestant's low placement, criticizing his fashion – "EJay could have been voted off simply for wearing that 'Please, sir, I want some more' Oliver Twist cap" – and his song choice that week – "Of all the Motown songs, did he have to pick one that’s been covered to death?" Day's recorded rendition of "I'll Be", on the "" album, earned a better reaction however, prompting another writer with the publication, Jon Caramanica, to declare that Day "got robbed". Dave Wedge of "The Boston Herald" also singled out "I'll Be" as a highlight on the album, writing that Day "show personality along with some polish". Wedge considered Day's track superior to those included on the album of that season's runner-up contestant, Justin Guarini. In a review for "The Herald News", Chuck Campbell was largely critical of the album and wrote that Day "bumbles along" on the track. He nonetheless considered Day's vocals to be emotionally well-conveyed.