As they get older, Riders in the Sky sound more accomplished and, more importantly, they sound more sincere. Like any of the group's albums, Always Drink Upstream from the Herd combines standards with original material, but what makes it noteworthy is that sincerity -- they still make jokes, but they can deliver the material more gracefully and skillfully than ever before, making it one of their most enjoyable efforts. ~ Thom Owens, All Music Guide