In the decades following its release, "Living in the Material World" gained a reputation as "a forgotten blockbuster" – a term used by Simon Leng and echoed by commentators such as Robert Rodriguez and AllMusic's Bruce Eder. and to "PopMatters" Zeth Lundy, it suffers from "a more anonymous tract" next to the "cathedral-grade significance" of "All Things Must Pass". Reviewing Harrison's solo career for "Goldmine" magazine in 2002, Dave Thompson considered the 1973 album to be the equal of "All Things Must Pass", reasoning: "While history insists that "Living in the Material World" could not help but be eclipsed by its gargantuan forebear, with the two albums in the CD player and the 'shuffle' function mixing them up, it's difficult to play favourites."