"One of the consistent charms of VanGaalen's albums is the unique microclimate they create, sheltered from external stress and intrusion even as they confront their own harsh un-realities. World's Most Stressed Out Gardener stays on that journey, spinning a sonic-folk yarn across the cosmos, its textures shifting and shadows alluring. All the while, it remains grounded by the homespun instrumentation (like the copper pipes that serve as xylophones on "Samurai Sword") and a candlelight compositional feel which gleams brighter for the prudence of polish"

"Scattered among the more typical guitar-bass-drum elements are dreamy wind instruments, plucked cellos, pots, pans, and snippets of tape-recorded chatter from his young children. It can all be a bit much at times, but this all-in approach to creativity has been VanGaalen's M.O. from the start, and his talent remains something to behold"