The album was generally well received internationally, particularly in the United Kingdom. "Guardian" reviewer, Dave Simpson, said it seemed "destined to be among the best of 2011", and the BBC's Andrzej Lukowski felt that "every second of Buffalo is wrought and layered with artisan care". As a result of the album's success, the band performed live on the BBC's ‘'Later... with Jools Holland'‘ on 25 October 2011. It was their UK TV debut. The band played two songs from the album, "Buffalo" and "Flock of Hearts". "Buffalo" was nominated for 8 New Zealand Music Awards in 2010, including Album of the Year and Single of the Year (for "Buffalo"). The Phoenix Foundation won the New Zealand Music Award for Best Group, and "Buffalo" won Best Producer, Best Engineer and Best Album Cover. The album was also shortlisted for the 2011 Taite Music Prize.