 Upon its release, Commit This to Memory received general acclaim from music critics. Scott Heisel of Alternative Press wrote that "Memory is an inspired, mature sophomore disc chock full of catchy, intelligent pop-rock." Allmusic's Johnny Loftus considered the band more intelligent and sophisticated than their Warped Tour peers: "Motion City Soundtrack [' s] wistful memories, tales of breaking up, and frantic searches for answers [are] realer than the next pop-punk combo on the quadruple summertime bill." Jennifer Maerz of Entertainment Weekly ended her review with the note that "MCS'slick, soaring anthems ultimately unite the spirits of those who see themselves, like Pierre, as' lifeless corners of this empty frame. '" Mark Griffiths of Kerrang! wrote, "It's a bright and invigorating affair [...] and is, in short, fantastic." The Washington Post's Marianne Meyer opined that the record "nimbly moves from skittish rhythms to genuinely tender sentiment." Jessica Grose of Spin favorably compared it to Blink-182's Enema of the State (1999). Tony McMenamin of Blender deemed it the publication's album of the month, calling it "a charged mix of instantly catchy pop-punk lashings and somber acoustic wailings."
