"[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.

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.

[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.

[11] Brooks performed the song during an appearance on Good Morning America, receiving a great deal of media attention.

"[14] Writing for Rolling Stone and rating the album three and a half out of five stars, Christopher Weingarten states: "Garth Brooks returns with one of the year's best accidental rock albums... With ripping guitar solos, Aerosmith-style strings and gospel-tinged background vocals, this is a record that could take Eric to Church.

"[19] In another three out of four star review for USA Today, Jerry Shriver comments: "Brooks' first album of original material since 2001's Scarecrow, fits comfortably in the country mainstream that he once defined, yet doesn't sound dated... Mostly, though, there are well-constructed songs with singalong melodies and a sturdy voice that show that a decade of rest has served Brooks well.

"[24] In rating the album three and a half out of five stars for Billboard, Melinda Newman claims: "Man Against Machine is no reinvention, but rather a continuation...

So Brooks does the only thing he can: writing and finding songs that reflect where he is now, but staying true to the quality and tone of his past work... A rowdy, vintage-Brooks-style slam-dunk like "Friends in Low Places" or "Fever" is missing here, but that's a small complaint for such a solid return.

"[13] Sarah Rodman for The Boston Globe newspaper gave a mixed impression of the music, where she states: "Presumably for this momentous release, which would be showcased on his current tour, Brooks was offered the best tunes available.

"[26] Two and a half star reviewer for The Buffalo News, Jeff Miers suggests: "Man Against Machine" arrives naked and unassuming, though.

"[16] Rating the project two stars for Las Vegas Weekly, Josh Bell finds: "Man Against Machine isn't desperate or pandering, but it is bland and mediocre, far from the momentous return Brooks' fans have been waiting for all these years.

[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.

[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.