'''''Simple Math''''' is the third [[studio album]] from [[Atlanta]]-based [[indie rock]] band [[Manchester Orchestra]]. It was released on May 10, 2011 through the [[independent label]] Favorite Gentlemen Recordings, itself distributed by [[Sony Music Entertainment]].<ref name="FavGen">{{cite web|url=http://favoritegentlemen.com/2011/01/26/manchester-orchestra-simple-math-release-date/|title=Manchester Orchestra 'Simple Math' Release Date|publisher=Favorite Gentleman|author= |date=|accessdate=26 January 2011}}</ref><ref name="Amazon">{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004T8IPNS|title=Simple Math: Manchester Orchestra|publisher=[[Amazon.com|Amazon]]|author= |date=|accessdate=4 May 2011}}</ref> The album was recorded with [[Dan Hannon]], who also produced the band's [[I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child|first album]], and co-produced [[Mean Everything to Nothing|their second]].<ref name="discogs">{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/Dan+Hannon|title=Dan Hannon Discography|publisher=[[Discogs]]|author= |date=|accessdate=4 May 2011}}</ref>
[[Andy Hull]], the band's lyricist and vocalist, has said that ''Simple Math'' is a [[concept album]], telling a story from his own perspective;: "It's a story about a 23-year-old who questions everything from marriage to love to religion to sex. Sometimes even for myself, it’s difficult to decipher which one I’m actually talking to. Everything I’ve written in the past has been about those things. This album is the most realized form of my questioning."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2011/01/manchester-orchestra-announce-new-album.html|title=Manchester Orchestra Announces New Album, ''Simple Math''|magazine=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]|author= Spicer, Nathan|date=26 January 2011|accessdate=4 May 2011}}</ref> A week prior to its official release, the entire album was available for [[streaming media|streaming]] on their official website.<ref name="AltPress Stream">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/manchester_orchestra_stream_upcoming_album_simple_math/|title=Manchester Orchestra to stream upcoming album, "Simple Math"|magazine=[[Alternative Press (music magazine)|Alternative Press]]|author= Karan, Tim|date=2 May 2011|accessdate=4 May 2011}}</ref>
Led by the title track and [[lead single|single]] "Simple Math"," the album was a success for the band, obtaining praise from music critics and debuting at a career-high number twenty-one on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and number eight on the [[Hard Rock Albums|''Billboard'' Rock Albums]] chart with opening week sales of 18,000 units.<ref name="MTV">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1664106/adele-21-billboard.jhtml|title=Adele Takes #1 On Billboard Albums Chart For Eighth Week|publisher=MTV|author= Kaufman, Gill|date=18 May 2011|accessdate=19 May 2011}}</ref><ref name="BB">{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=manchester orchestra|chart=all}}|title=Simple Math - Manchester Orchestra|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|accessdate=19 May 2011}}</ref>
