A Black Mile to the Surface digs down into the mineshaft and finds that its deepest veins of gold and diamond were always just the most mundane, simple things.
Rather than separate any of these disparate sounds this time out, on A Black Mile to the Surface they offer a modicum of all three, shifting from intensely played, post-hardcore-influenced rock to ruminative acoustic balladry and layered soundscapes, often within the same song.
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.
Every aspect of A Black Mile to the Surface is ambitious and rarely, if ever, does it falter.
A Black Mile to the Surface may get knocked for being a downer, an almost self-conscious one. But for all the melodrama, there’s plenty of smart arrangements and well-crafted musical ideas that give the album plenty of gravitas.
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.
Manchester Orchestra’s new album is their most confounding and thrilling work yet, with the most grandiose narrative concepts, production, and arrangements of their career.
The band balance loud and quiet better than ever on LP5, with the one-two of ‘The Maze’ and first single ‘The Gold’ that opens the record the perfect example.
If Manchester Orchestra are guilty of being a tad too serene elsewhere, it must also be noted that sounding beautiful is a good problem to have.
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.
That A Black Mile To The Surface lacks so much personality is both a disappointment and a surprise.
I've been wanting to write this review for a while. I don't know if I'll be able to write everything I want, but I think I can cover a lot. I've been listening to this album on repeat for the past few months and I truly believe this is one of the best pieces of music ever.
I never really listened to Manchester Orchestra (MO) often, except for "I Can Feel a Hot One", which I enjoy a lot. The band itself is inspired by creating music and stories with friends, sort of like an orchestra. ... read more
I adore the sound of the past three projects of this band. Their earlier stuff is alright, but nothing compares to this in quality. Although I do GREATLY prefer Million Masks over this. A Black Mile to the Surface is a slightly less punchy version of what they created on the next release, though it does work to this album's favor in its own way as I feel like it has its own separate and unique charm and feel to it. Even though I feel like the melodies on this album are a little bit half baked, ... read more
The Maze - 10/10
The Gold - 10/10
The Moth - 10/10
Lead, SD - 8/10
The Alien - 9/10
The Sunshine - 8/10
The Grocery - 9/10
The Wolf - 8/10
The Mistake - 9/10
The Parts - 10/10
The Silence - 10/10
Overall Rating: 101 out of 110 = 92%%
Overall Review: This isn't a "hits and singles" album. It's best described as as a journey. An album best consumed in one sitting from start to finish. Many of the songs herald bands like The Dear Hunter who take you on epic adventures in each track and ... read more
This guy's voice reminds me of the dude from Fun.
But a pretty good album, I have a wonky relationship with many records from this group, but this one delivers some pretty good indie rock with a bit of a heartland vibe, folk vibe, and almost americana in some vocal performances like the opener.
1 | The Maze 2:58 | 83 |
2 | The Gold 4:33 | 96 |
3 | The Moth 4:35 | 88 |
4 | Lead, SD 4:53 | 90 |
5 | The Alien 5:28 | 96 |
6 | The Sunshine 1:47 | 87 |
7 | The Grocery 5:12 | 94 |
8 | The Wolf 4:26 | 87 |
9 | The Mistake 3:54 | 84 |
10 | The Parts 4:12 | 68 |
11 | The Silence 6:59 | 91 |
#4 | / | Sputnikmusic |
#31 | / | Treble |
#42 | / | Kerrang |
#43 | / | God Is In The TV |
#71 | / | Earbuddy |
/ | Esquire (UK) |