A Black Mile to the Surface
by Manchester Orchestra
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
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  1. Q Magazine
    Aug 3, 2017
    60
    The Grocery [is] riveting. 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. [Sep 2017, p.113]
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  2. DIY Magazine
    Jul 28, 2017
    60
    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. ‘The Alien’, meanwhile, is fiddly and intriguing, showing that A Black Mile To The Surface could transport the band to an entirely new world.
  3. The Guardian
    Jul 27, 2017
    60
    While there are oddball lyrical themes throughout, it orbits a grownup indie rock world.
  5. 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.
  6. The A.V. Club
    Jul 28, 2017
    50
    There’s some beautiful songwriting here, but it’s buried beneath the smudges of its producers.

Awards & Rankings

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

User Reviews

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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
  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    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.    … Full Review »
  2. 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.
  3. 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.… Full Review »
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