Reject All American was recorded in November 1995 and produced by John Goodmanson. The album was released on April 5, 1996 by the independent record label Kill Rock Stars. Reject All American received generally favorable reviews from music critics. David Browne of Entertainment Weekly opined that the album is "28 wonderfully concentrated minutes of unrelenting punk, with mid-tempo stops that pay homage to Kurt Cobain and Tony Randall. The Go-Go's as riot grrrls." Prominent music critic Robert Christgau praised Kathleen Hanna's vocals and Billy Karren's guitar playing, stating that they add definition and confidence.