About a Mile

Taking their name from the distance Jesus carried His cross, About a Mile deliver scripture-rooted lyrics with pop/rock heft reminiscent of Lifehouse and The Fray. The fact that this Western Pennsylvania–based group consist of three brothers may account for their close-knit sound. Whatever the reason, About a Mile’s self-titled Word debut is a well-realized effort packed with hook-laden upbeat tracks and thoughtful ballads. Adam Klute’s husky lead vocals come across as both heroic and yearning, capturing the mixture of hope, awe, and reverence found in the band’s songs. “Satisfied,” “Right Now,” and “Soldier On” are potent rallying cries, spurred on by Adam’s expansive guitar work and anchored by brothers Luke (bass) and Levi (drums). “Power of the Cross” shows off the trio’s strong grasp of dynamics, while “Trembling” strikes a note of quiet adoration. While much of the album is worship-oriented, songs like “In with the Out Crowd” (a soaring call for rebellion against conformity) and “I Hate Hate” (a plea for love set to a rocking shuffle) deal with larger issues facing fellow believers.