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A Black Mile to the Surface
by
A Black Mile to the Surface Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 72 Ratings

  • Summary: The fifth full-length studio release for the indie rock band led by Andy Hull and Robert McDowell was produced by Catherine Marks and John Congleton.
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Top Track

The Gold
Couldn't really love you any more You've become my ceiling I don't think I love you anymore That gold mine changed you You don't have to hold me... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Sputnikmusic
    Oct 5, 2017
    100
    Black Mile has already won your heart, and you know that it is going to be one of those albums that stay with you forever; a byproduct of life events coinciding with its release and an uncanny relation to Hull’s lyrics.
  2. Sputnikmusic
    Jul 26, 2017
    96
    The songs on Black Mile are expansive, textured, each one like a painting in a distinct style; the layers of Simple Math are back with a vengeance, but instead of the empty palazzios and antique wooden drawers of that album, we're left with mineshafts. Pitch black, filthy, bottomless. Tempting.
  3. Exclaim
    Jul 26, 2017
    90
    There's no song on Black Mile like "Wolves at Night" or "April Fool," the kind of high-energy howler fit for an EA Sports game, but their efforts have paid off with an artistic triumph, the kind worth regarding as a creative masterwork among their collection.
  4. Paste Magazine
    Jul 25, 2017
    77
    A Black Mile To The Surface does not disappoint. It may not be a no-hitter (nothing here is as immediately visceral as, say, “Shake It Off” or as instantly gorgeous as “Simple Math,” perhaps), but the band still looks and sounds strong.
  5. Pitchfork
    Aug 7, 2017
    70
    The result is Manchester Orchestra’s most confounding, thrilling, and unintentionally loopy album yet.
  6. The 405
    Jul 31, 2017
    70
    A Black Mile to the Surface is not ultimately the kind of cohesive and singularly classic album that Manchester Orchestra has shown the ability to create. However, the bold new steps Andy Hull and company take on it seem likely to be the building blocks upon which they build their next classic.
  7. The A.V. Club
    Jul 28, 2017
    50
    There’s some beautiful songwriting here, but it’s buried beneath the smudges of its producers.

See all 20 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. vasilicaceapa
    Aug 1, 2017
    10
    black mile to the surface a brilliant album ... Perfect 10 ... all carefully composed pieces call ... and negatives brilliant Manchesterblack mile to the surface a brilliant album ... Perfect 10 ... all carefully composed pieces call ... and negatives brilliant Manchester Orchestra BEST… Expand
  2. redstar40
    Jul 28, 2017
    10
    I have been waiting all summer for this album to drop and today is the day.

    Manchester Orchestra's "Black Mile to the Surface" is such an    I have been waiting all summer for this album to drop and today is the day.

    Manchester Orchestra's "Black Mile to the Surface" is such an amazing album. And that's just what it is... an album. It is meant to be listened to from song one through eleven. This isn't the product of the catchy pop single creation machine that most are familiar with in music today. It is an outpouring of emotion after a deep look inside one's soul. It's quite simply ART.

    The album is a story and the arc takes you through a slow build to a crescendo and then back down again, all the while baring it's soul to you. Each time I've listened through I just build with excitement about seeing this band live on Sept. 8th at House of Blues Houston.    … Expand
  4. dekusm
    Sep 18, 2017
    10
    What an underrated album. I can't say I like MO other albums, but this...this is something special and is certainly my album of the year.What an underrated album. I can't say I like MO other albums, but this...this is something special and is certainly my album of the year. Gorgeous production and songwriting throughout with an overall vibe similar to Local Natives Hummingbird; moody, atmospheric and beautiful.… Expand
  5. thedawsonzim
    Jul 28, 2017
    10
    Their best, most mature sounding release thus far. Tracks like "The Maze," "The Grocery," "The Wolf," "The Alien," and "The Silence" break newTheir best, most mature sounding release thus far. Tracks like "The Maze," "The Grocery," "The Wolf," "The Alien," and "The Silence" break new ground for MO, reaching emotional heights (and depths) without relying solely on the crunching guitars from Cope and METN, and featuring better production value and songwriting than Simple Math. Impeccably produced with enough detail and layers to hold up for a long, long time.… Expand
  6. fwtll636
    May 20, 2018
    10
    This album 'A Black Mile to the Surface' has taken Manchester Orchestra's sound to astronomical levels. The production is mind-boggling andThis album 'A Black Mile to the Surface' has taken Manchester Orchestra's sound to astronomical levels. The production is mind-boggling and the songs are catchier than ever, except now there is a layer of maturity and cohesion that's like nothing the band has done before. Truly an impressive feat for alternative rock.… Expand
  7. CiphirSol
    Aug 5, 2017
    9
    Not exactly what I was expecting. Tells a very powerful narrative and the production is top-notch and only adds to the experience. I read atNot exactly what I was expecting. Tells a very powerful narrative and the production is top-notch and only adds to the experience. I read at least one review that made it seem overproduced but I don't think it suffers at all from it.… Expand
  8. Music_Observer
    Aug 15, 2017
    8
    This is a nice example of careful, congenial, and sensible songwriting while stringing together a pleasant 50 minutes of music, with theirThis is a nice example of careful, congenial, and sensible songwriting while stringing together a pleasant 50 minutes of music, with their overall tameness being met with strong musical decisions on melodic shape and harmonic motion, albeit a bit goofy at times. My Score: 136/180 (Solid) = 7.6/10… Expand

See all 16 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

74
#74 Most Discussed Album of 2017
46
#46 Most Shared Album of 2017

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