The album itself received generally positive reviews by the UK critics, Keith Cameron of the "NME" compared Suede to "The Smiths"; he wrote, "'Suede' faces the same problems The Smiths did and similarly fails to deliver on a few, admittedly trifling, levels". However, he concluded, "This is the solid, quality, ring-of-confidence debut Records dreamed the band would produce". Stuart Maconie of "Q" drew comparisons to Bowie, Morrissey and Marr. In conclusion he said "Bowie and the Smiths are obvious points of reference. From each, Suede have taken an alien sexual charisma, a peculiarly claustrophobic Englishness and brazenly good tunes. Moreover, rarely has a record from the indie sector come with such a burning sense of its own significance." In "Select", Steve Lamacq noted "a feeling in the air that they haven't fully let themselves go yet", concluding: "As debuts go this isn't exactly Suede in flames: but what a smouldering attempt." Ben Thompson of "The Independent" wrote that "it would be a shame if the eagerness to get the backlash underway stopped their excellent album getting the respect it deserves."