Album Review: Manchester Orchestra, A Black Mile To The Surface

Since supporting Brand New on tour when they were just 17, Atlanta alt-rockers Manchester Orchestra have developed into a serious musical force. Their fifth album, A Black Mile To The Surface, comes almost exactly a decade after their 2007 debut, I’m Like A Virgin Losing A Child. Informed by singer Andy Hull and guitarist Robert McDowell’s experience of doing an a cappella film score, the band’s latest release lays off their signature pummelling guitars and drums. Instead, they opt for a stripped-back approach which, for all its minimalism, still packs an emotional punch.
To complement Manchester Orchestra’s sonic reinvention, the lyrics focus on frontman Andy Hull’s experience of having a daughter. As with previous releases such as ‘I Can Feel A Hot One’, Hull uses autobiographical details to craft a powerful story. First track ‘The Maze’ explores the relationship between a father and newborn, as they attempt to make sense of one another. It’s a theme that’s built on throughout; these are songs about the anxieties of parenthood, backdropped by panoramic soundscapes.
Had he not been homeschooled at age 16 to focus on a music career, Hull might instead have established himself in the literary field. He has a wonderful turn of phrase, with a particular highlight being, “You swapped your conscience for your father’s medication” (‘The Alien’).
Standouts such as ‘The Gold’ and ‘The Grocery’ warrant special mention, but this dramatic record is a worthy listen from first note to last.