A Black Mile to the Surface
by Manchester Orchestra
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 72 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 63 out of 72
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 72
  3. Negative: 6 out of 72
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  1. 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 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    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
  2. NeutralMilkH
    Jul 29, 2017
    10
    Well, after listening to Arcade Fire's new album, I really needed something to cheer me up, and this album did it for me. The vocals and harmonies are always fantastic, the instrumentals are never overbearing, and the production is absolutely gorgeous. That's all I have to say.
  3. 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 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 toTheir 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
  4. 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 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.
  5. Dizzyd2323
    Oct 12, 2020
    10
    One of my personal favorites over the past decade, this album is powerful, both lyrically and emotionally. A must listen by all accounts.
  6. 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 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
  7. cubman25
    Aug 7, 2017
    10
    Amazing beauty and flow to this album. From the haunting to the guitar oozing rifts that have defined Manchester Orchestra's prior albums. There is a true beauty here. Might be my favorite album the boys from GA have put out. Well done.
  8. 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 at least one review that made it seem overproduced but I don't think it suffers at all from it.
  9. talrobbins
    Dec 10, 2017
    10
    I can confidently make the argument that this was the best album of the year. And this statement packs quite a punch, especially considering this comes in a year in which we saw new album releases from band of the likes of LCD Soundsystem, The War on Drugs, Beck, Alt-J, Arcade Fire, The Shins, Sufjan Stevens, etc.

    I cannot remember the last time I listened to an album of this caliber    I can confidently make the argument that this was the best album of the year. And this statement packs quite a punch, especially considering this comes in a year in which we saw new album releases from band of the likes of LCD Soundsystem, The War on Drugs, Beck, Alt-J, Arcade Fire, The Shins, Sufjan Stevens, etc.

    I cannot remember the last time I listened to an album of this caliber that so consistently plays with a consistent musical theme throughout the album, not to mention that this is accompanied by the overarching lyrical concept of the album itself. The way Manchester explores the musical theme and continues to expand it and stretch it to areas that you might not have thought it could go, is truly remarkable. After listening to the album, another album keep popping into my mind in comparison: Abbey Road. Now, that's not to say that I'm touting Manchester Orchestra as the next Beatles over here, but what I will say is that, like Abbey Road, this album plays and sticks with a consistent musical theme throughout, and did so with fine tuned acumen of seasoned artists.    … Expand
  10. Sabrewulf1
    Jul 10, 2019
    10
    One of the greatest indie albums of all time. Absolute masterpiece in sombre lyrics sung beautifully. The album has substance and a sad reality to it. It stays on repeat for many playthroughs when i select it. And its an album where sometimes you stop..think...and crave a listening.
  11. 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. Gorgeous production and songwriting throughout with an overall vibe similar to Local Natives Hummingbird; moody, atmospheric and beautiful.
  12. BicycleFish
    Jul 28, 2017
    9
    You can tell that they care about this album. Each song compliments the last and the next one to come. The 3 song interlude/transition from The Alien to The Grocery is one of the best pieced together recordings this band has ever done (right up there with my personal favorite, ETN into The River.) This album layers loud and powerful on top of delicate and beautiful to produce a gut punchYou can tell that they care about this album. Each song compliments the last and the next one to come. The 3 song interlude/transition from The Alien to The Grocery is one of the best pieced together recordings this band has ever done (right up there with my personal favorite, ETN into The River.) This album layers loud and powerful on top of delicate and beautiful to produce a gut punch of musical intrigue. You can listen over and over and over again and hear new sounds, strange noises, purposeful little pops, quick background dialogue, and all sorts of smaller parts that gives each song its own rich sound without being overly complicated. The way Andy layers his vocal harmonies on top of each other is outstanding and some of the best he's ever done. The only knock I have against the album is that you can somewhat hear the loss of Chris Freeman. The keys aren't "Freeman keys", still good, but that guy played a role in adding to the "Manchester sound" that is slightly missed. However, this album is one the band should be very, very proud of.… Expand
  13. Teebs41
    Jul 29, 2017
    10
    This band never fails to disappoint. It tells a remarkable story of 2 brothers and an abusive father/abandoned mother. The album is Cinematic and Epic, and builds and swells with every moment. This is my AOTY
  14. vasilicaceapa
    Aug 1, 2017
    10
    black mile to the surface a brilliant album ... Perfect 10 ... all carefully composed pieces call ... and negatives brilliant Manchester Orchestra BEST
  15. CreamyGoodne55
    Apr 24, 2018
    8
    The album is a big improvement on Cope which seemed to struggle past the 2 singles they released before the album came out. There is a lot more diversity in this record and the songs show a matured side to the band.

    That said its still nowhere near the first two albums and while I will put this on I find myself very quickly going back to Mean anything to Nothing.
  16. jmo5107
    Nov 19, 2020
    10
    Absolutely fantastic. MO keeps evolving and this is their best/most complete work yet. Masterpiece.

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic 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.
    Read full review
  2. Classic Rock Magazine
    Sep 6, 2017
    70
    They’re on more familiar ground, with an emotional take on alternative indie rock inspired by the frontman’s new experiences in fatherhood.
    Read full review
  3. No Ripcord
    Aug 24, 2017
    50
    For a band where constructing songs into rocket-fueled crescendos is their biggest strength, too often does A Black Mile to the Surface fail to take advantage of any momentum it builds, often taking the wrong fork on an ascent to a splendid finale.
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