Manchester Orchestra - A Black Mile to the Surface (July 28, 2017) Album • Page 168

New to the forum, fascinated/blown away by this album. I just listened to ABMTTS and then A Devil and God back to back, not sure how anyone could say one is better than the other. Andy definitely took a huge step forward on this album IMO though. The storyline may be more complicated on ABMTTS and that is saying something. The Devil and God has always been a staple for me as it is for many others, and ABMTTS will probably end up having the same impact.

 

I like your username welcome!

 

Listening to the album again and whenever I hear the second verse of The Wolf, I feel like the world is ending, which makes the small little restraint of the instruments when everything goes quiet a lot more eerie. The drums really capture the sound of a disaster. I read a post when binging the thread on how it sounds like the soundtrack to a superhero movie and I really do agree with the sentiment.

 

Hammocks are the fucking best

 

Thanks man! I spent the last 3 days digesting this thread with the album on repeat. Thoughts about ABMTTS, this album is ambitious and beautiful. Still trying to digest it all. This band has the ability to transcend those dark places. What a community! Props to @Jason Tate.

Top tracks for me

The Gold (phenomenal guitar work)

The Alien-The Grocery **one of the most creative things this band has done**

The Wolf
The Parts
The Silence

 

Any idea where all of the audible voices like between 'The Moth' and 'Lead, SD' fit into the story-line?

I still basically have no clue what is going on, and somehow that is fine with me.

 

Whenever I listen to the sunshine, I'm picturing like a movie montage of a happy and peaceful period in their lives.

Or at least I did before I saw the video, now I just picture singing babies and Andy's sweet beard

 

Something about life insurance is the only thing I can make out. Lol

 

For me 'The Alien' didn't pop out as a single I was like yeah, this is cool, but I hope the rest of the album is better. Now that I have heard it with 'The Sunshine', and 'The Grocery' following, my thoughts have completely changed. The transition is seamless between those three.

I agree with some in the thread maybe next time I will avoid singles and just have a first listen from start to finish. But that was a nice surprise seeing 'The Alien' worked into the album like that after hearing it by itself.

 

I'm baffled as well. lol

 

Andy absolutely kills it on 'The Grocery', and 'The Sunshine'.

 

Just got my photo book.
And it isn't absolutely destroyed. YEAHHH!!!

No one should ever make gold vinyl. Maybe clear with a gold splatter...that might look even more like baby shit. Ha

 

Did the thing.

 

Whoa it looks so good! Very cool man

 

As a person who has gotten more than a couple impulsive tattoos for lesser reasons than 'I love a record a lot,' I love that you did this so, SO much.

 

Very behind on this thread, but god damn the transition between the Alien and the Sunshine. It hits me hard every time Andy kicks off with "I already know that I don't already know". I also love how those 2 and the Grocery are all that's on that side of the record as just one continuous piece of music. As far as I'm concerned they're all just one song. I don't think I can really listen to one without wanting (needing) to listen to them all.

 

That's a great tattoo.

 

I feel like it's entirely possible that the Silence is my least favorite song on this record. Which is, in no way, a reflection of that song - I just like all the other ones so much that something has to be in last place, and that's it.

I will say, I love both the Parts as a standalone song, and its placement on the record. It's a perfect calm before the storm, almost like a chance to take one last deep breath before jumping into the deep end for a final time. It's a really neat effect, I think, putting those two back to back like that.

 

That turned out so great. It helps that it's already a pretty cool piece of art on its own. Knowing the album that inspired it makes it even better.

 

Damn, that looks amazing. The artist did a great job. Not gonna lie, if I was tattoo person I'd probably already be getting something Black Mile-related already as well.

 

I feel like most of my posts in this thread have just been something along the lines of like "yo this record is dope" but....


THIS RECORD IS DOPE

 

To be clear, I'm cognizant of the fact that this album is far, far less guitar-centric than MEtN. The mix isn't what I have issues with; it not being all about the guitars is a welcome way of creating space for these songs to breathe, which mostly pays off. I'm talking about the moments when the guitar kicks in and it's supposed to be this grand thing, but it just sounds textureless and bland and lands with a thud.

 

Not trying to be dismissive but what set up are you listening through.

I hear what you are saying in the car (shitty Subaru speakers) but thru headphones not at all

 

Guitars sound great to me. I truly think it's one of the best "sounding" albums I've heard since Harry Styles (which sounds impeccable regardless of taste).

 

I really think it's a headphone or Sonos album.
In my car it isn't nearly as dynamic. Which is probably because I didn't by the upgraded sound system.

Through my seinheissers it is delightful in every way.