Gordon (album) - Reception

Reception

Jon Pareles of The New York Times wrote, "It's not easy to be hyperactive, brooding, and whimsical all at once, but the Barenaked Ladies do just that." MacKenzie Wilson of Allmusic wrote that the album approaches, but does not cross the "bound of silliness." She went on to call the "shared vocals... refreshing and upbeat," concluding that "Gordon is a great introduction to the Barenaked Ladies' sweet comic relief." The Miami Herald called the album "funny and punny, more inventive than you might expect," stating that "it switches directions on you just when you're least expecting it."

Gordon sold 80,000 copies in Canada during its first 24 hours of release, topping the Canadian charts for eight consecutive weeks. In the United States, initial album sales were stronger in larger cities, however, a spike in sales was not seen until the releases of Rock Spectacle and "One Week." Gordon was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in August 1998. According to Steven Page, the number of "fans who know every word of every song" outnumbers the number of units sold by four times. "Gordon must be the most bootlegged album in history," said Page. In 2000, the album achieved diamond status in Canada, selling over one million copies.