Samples returned with Autopilot, produced by Walt Beery who also became their manager around this time. They chose the album's name because the band had gone straight into the studio after a long tour and was able to perform on "autopilot" without much preparation, according to MacNichol. Autopilot was more concise than previous albums and focused on capturing the band's live sound. In 1995, The Samples' contract with W.A.R. had expired, so they decided to approach major labels with their catalog to move forward. The band signed with MCA Records and released Outpost, their fifth studio album, in 1996. It featured a heavier, more stripped-down sound and included re-recordings of early songs "Did You Ever Look So Nice" and "Birth of Words". Although it was their most expensive album to record, costing over $300,000, the band was disappointed with the result due to inconsistent guidance from label personnel and high creative tensions within the band. Because of a buyout, MCA was experiencing financial difficulties and significant corporate reshuffling. As a result, many small or recently signed bands were dropped from the label around the same time. The personnel who had signed The Samples were no longer there, and MCA terminated The Samples' contract in 1997 after a short-lived tour with Jars of Clay and a few dates opening for Sting. Laughlin was absent for much of the Outpost sessions and tour and decided to leave the band for good that year. MacNichol also departed, due to disagreement over direction during the Outpost sessions and the desire to start a solo career. He would later release three grunge-influenced albums under the name "Jeep", as well as his current reggae/dub project "Mr. Anonymous". The original lineup did a short farewell tour and played its last show on May 14, 1997 at the Bluebird Theater, with Charles Hambleton joining them as a special guest. The Samples' future was in limbo with Sean Kelly and Andy Sheldon facing the decision of whether or not to continue under the same name. However, they promptly reformed with new members Kenny James, Alex Matson, and Rob Somers, and rejoined What Are Records? to release Transmissions from the Sea of Tranquility in late 1997, a live album with some tracks recorded on tour and others recorded at an empty venue. The new lineup led to the band developing a mellower sound echoing Kelly's folk-rock influences from the 1970s.