Rivers in the Wasteland received mostly positive reviews from music critics. Tony Cummings, founder of Cross Rhythms, rated the album a perfect ten squares, calling it a "delicious album" that "demonstrates once again that when you've got quality songwriting and a band on the top of their game, all resistance melts away."[10] At CCM Magazine, Matt Conner rated the album four stars out of five, calling the release a "spirited" affair on which has "Needtobreathe's signature Southern rock stomps circles 'round Bear Rinehart's distinct vocal for another 11-song feast that just might be their best yet."[7] At Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Piet Levy gave the album a positive review, writing that "the inspiration can be found in the beauty of its lyrics", and that when the band gets around to praising the Lord that "the effect is more powerful than anything on the latest albums from Christian acts like Casting Crowns, MercyMe, Chris Tomlin or TobyMac."[17]
Timothy Monger of AllMusic rated the album three-and-a-half stars out of four, remarking that "If Needtobreathe's intention was to deliver a more down-to-earth and reflective record following The Reckoning's big-budget glitz, they've succeeded."[1] At New Release Tuesday, Kevin Davis rated the album a perfect five stars, writing that "Every song is absolutely amazing" because "[t]he very relatable and transparent words of these songs use poetic descriptions and biblical language throughout eleven stellar tracks".[15] Kate Padilla of The Spencer Daily Reporter liked Bear's vocal tone, claiming that singling out a few standout tracks would be a shear lesson in futility because "The entire thing is great, from beginning to end and back again."[18] At PopMatters, Jeff Koch rated the album five discs out of ten, cautioning how "these rivers run too shallow to irrigate this wasteland."[16]
At Jesus Freak Hideout, four reviewers, Jen Rose, Jerrold Wallace, John DiBiase, and Timothy Estabrooks, all gave the same rating of four-and-a-half stars out of five.[2] Rose says that the release "represents an already great band at their finest".[11] Wallace writes that "The appropriately titled Rivers in the Wasteland is a tale of redemption and perseverance" because the band had its share of "ups and down," and that they have "pushed through and created some of their finest work to date."[12] DiBiase remarked that the release "is a refreshing listening experience",[13] while Estabrooks called the release simply "phenomenal."[14]
At Christian Music Zine, Graeme Jones rated the album a perfect five stars, remarking how the release "doesn’t disappoint" because it is "quality musically and lyrically."[8] Andrew Funderburk of CM Addict rated the album four stars out of five, stating that "It’s an album filled with strength down to the last track."[9] At 365 Days of Inspiring Media, Jonathan Andre rated the album four stars out of five, writing how it is "a gem of an album".[6] Timothy Yap of Hallels gave the album a modestly positive review, saying while some songs on the release don't work well that "Gone are the thinly cloaked inspirational songs, and moving right in are songs that penetrate from the superficial to the eternal."[19]
