Man Against Machine
Man Against Machine is the ninth studio album by American country music artist Garth Brooks. It was released on November 11, 2014 by RCA Records Nashville and Pearl Records. Brooks confirmed the album in July 2014 while announcing his comeback world tour. Brooks' first new studio album since Scarecrow, which was released in 2001, it was his first album released digitally, exclusively to his online music store, GhostTunes. The album's lead single, "People Loving People", was released on September 3, 2014.[2]
Man Against Machine
November 11, 2014
Allentown Studios, Nashville
57:43
Mark Miller
Prior to the album's release, Brooks told CMT that regardless of the album's chart performance, he does not plan on following the charts, believing that "quality music will show success over time, regardless of initial sales numbers."[3] As of 2016, the album sold less than Brooks' previous efforts, having received considerably less support from radio but has gained generally favorable reviews. Brooks' decision to not release the album via iTunes contributed to its poor digital sales.[4]
Background[edit]
In October 2000, Brooks announced his retirement from recording and performing. His final studio album at the time, Scarecrow, was released in 2001. Nine years later, Brooks announced he was coming out of retirement to perform a series of weekend concerts at Encore Las Vegas, titled Garth at Wynn. Following the conclusion of his Las Vegas residency shows, Brooks announced plans for a world tour during a December 2013 appearance on Good Morning America.[5]
On July 10, 2014, Brooks held a press conference where he confirmed a world tour and announced plans for a new album. The album would be Brooks' first album released digitally, available only through Brooks' online music store GhostTunes. The original release date was November 28, 2014; however it was later changed to November 11, 2014.[6] Prior to the album's release GhostTunes featured a digital preorder, providing immediate downloads of the first released single, "People Loving People", as well as "Send 'Em On Down the Road".[7] Brooks performed "Mom" during a November 7, 2014, appearance on Good Morning America, receiving a great deal of media attention in promotion of the album.[8] The album was released on November 11, 2014.[9]
Release and promotion[edit]
On July 10, 2014, Brooks held a press conference where he confirmed a world tour and announced plans for a new album.[10] The album would be Brooks' first album released digitally, available only through Brooks' online music store, GhostTunes. The original release date was November 28, 2014; however it was later changed to November 11, 2014.[6]
Prior to the album's release, GhostTunes featured a digital preorder, providing immediate downloads of the first released single, "People Loving People", as well as B-side track, "Send 'Em On Down the Road", on September 3, 2014.[2][7] On November 24, the album's second single, "Mom", was released.[11] Brooks performed the song during an appearance on Good Morning America, receiving a great deal of media attention.[8] The album was released on November 11, 2014.[9]
Commercial performance[edit]
According to industry sources, the album was originally estimated to sell between 250,000 to 300,000 copies in the US in its first week of release;[27] but the estimate was later reduced to 140,000.[28] It was predicted to fall behind Pink Floyd's The Endless River, Foo Fighters' Sonic Highways and Taylor Swift's 1989 on the Billboard 200.[28]
The album debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 and number one on the US Top Country Albums Chart, selling an initial 130,000 copies, below even the downward-revised prediction.[29] On January 9, 2015 the album was certified gold and platinum by the RIAA.[30] As of November 2016, it has sold 685,000 copies in the US, making it Brooks's lowest selling studio effort until the following album Gunslinger.[31]
In Canada, the album debuted at number four on the Canadian Albums Chart, initially selling 8,500 copies.[32]
According to Brooks via an interview with CMT, he did not plan on following the album's chart performance, believing that "quality music will show success over time, regardless of initial sales numbers."[3]
The following credits are sourced from liner notes included in the album.[33]