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A Black Mile to the Surface

by Manchester Orchestra

Released: July 21, 2017

Indie rock, alternative rock, Americana

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Chart Success.

The Album

A Black Mile to the Surface is the fifth studio album by American indie rock band Manchester Orchestra, released on July 21, 2017, via Loma Vista Recordings and Favorite Gentlemen. The album emerged after the band members, inspired by their experience working on the soundtrack for the film Swiss Army Man, decided to shift their musical direction from their previous albums, Cope and Hope (both 2014). Following this, two more singles, The Alien and The Moth, were released later in the summer.

Inside the Recording

The album was recorded starting in the summer of 2016 with producer Catherine Marks.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

A Black Mile to the Surface features a…

A Black Mile to the Surface features a mix of alternative rock and Americana, weaving a concept album narrative set in a fictional South Dakota mining town, while also reflecting on lead singer Andy Hull's experiences with his young daughter.

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Essential Tracks

The Moth

Following this, two more singles, The Alien and The Moth, were released later in the summer.

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Explore the Album

Manchester Orchestra - A Black Mile to the Surface

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Then

Reception

The lead single, The Gold, was released on June 9, 2017, accompanied by a music video directed by Mike Dempsey and Johnny Chew. The album performed well commercially, debuting at number 33 on the US Billboard 200 chart. Critics generally responded positively to the album, highlighting Hull's storytelling and the cinematic quality of the music.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

A Black Mile to the Surface is the fifth studio album by American indie rock band Manchester Orchestra, released on July 21, 2017, via Loma Vista Recordings and Favorite Gentlemen. The album was recorded starting in the summer of 2016 with producer Catherine Marks. The lead single, The Gold, was released on June 9, 2017, accompanied by a music video directed by Mike Dempsey and Johnny Chew. Following this, two more singles, The Alien and The Moth, were released later in the summer.

The album emerged after the band members, inspired by their experience working on the soundtrack for the film Swiss Army Man, decided to shift their musical direction from their previous albums, Cope and Hope (both 2014). A Black Mile to the Surface features a mix of alternative rock and Americana, weaving a concept album narrative set in a fictional South Dakota mining town, while also reflecting on lead singer Andy Hull's experiences with his young daughter.

Critics generally responded positively to the album, highlighting Hull's storytelling and the cinematic quality of the music. The album performed well commercially, debuting at number 33 on the US Billboard 200 chart.