 In his Consumer Guide, Robert Christgau gave the album a "B-" rating.In the United States, "EV3" debuted at number eight on both the US "Billboard" Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and the "Billboard" 200 in the issue dated July 5, 1997.Selling approximately 76,500 copies in its first week of release, the album marked the band's highest debut on both charts as well as their biggest first week sales yet.