Carey expressed that she used her anger to improve her next performance at the Worcester's Centrum Centre, and got "rave reviews" as a result. "The Boston Globe" called it "a spectacular performance bowled over the crowd with a confidence that grew before their very eyes", after Carey "shook off her nervousness at the start." Further, her highest-visibility performance in the tour closer at Madison Square Garden in New York City got a very positive review from Jon Pareles of "The New York Times", although "The Bergen Record" gave mixed notices to the sold-out show. But overall the impression was, especially framed by the opening night, that most critics gave negative reviews to the Music Box Tour.