Although "The Marble Index" was generally unnoticed when it was released, it was praised by the countercultural "East Village Other" and "International Times"; however, most critics found "her desolate soundscapes inaccessible." Anne Marie Micklo of "Rolling Stone" gave the album a positive review, calling side two "a really worthwhile venture into musical infinity". A cult following emerged around it, which included music journalist Lester Bangs, who wrote in a 1978 article entitled "Your Shadow Is Scared of You: An Attempt Not to Be Frightened by Nico": ""The Marble Index" is the greatest piece of 'avant-garde classical', 'serious' music of the last half of the 20th century so far." Although Bangs praised the album, he also wrote that it "scared the shit out of " and described the listening experience as "self-torture".