"The Quickening draws attention to itself because it refuses to concede to formula. The two musicians got together because of a shared appreciation of improvisation. The results suggest the pair shared the same aims as the sound of them both together overwhelms their separate performances. Fans of both artists will find value in their union"

"As a meeting of minds, Anderson and White are a well-matched duo with a similar creative aesthetic. That's not to say The Quickening is an easy listen. Melodies and recognizable rhythms are hard to come by, and those that do present themselves are rather spare and subtle. The quiet and gently unfolding "18 to 1" stands as the album's prettiest and most tonally pleasing cut, though for the patient listener, there is plenty of magic throughout the set as these two masters intertwine their ample talents"