One Mile An Hour –Self Titled
It is said that humanity is a product of its own environment and if that is the case then I wish to live in the land that made One Mile An Hour. I imagine it to be a land of grassy fields and beachfront as far as the eyes can see, a place where the sea stays calm so not to disturb you with its wake. To cross this land you would need flip-flops, allowing the sand to fill your toes as you chase the sunset across endless beach. Punctuated only with swaying trees that gain their motion from a soft sea breeze. Finally in this idealist landscape, you would come to rest your legs around a campfire, as darkness sets in you lay back and look to the stars. Such is the power of this record that for 42 minutes and 4 seconds I can imagine just that, no matter where I am.
Indeed this album is a product of such a warm environment, crafted like fine wood furniture in a home studio, overlooking the south coast. Mastered by the man behind PJ Harvey's amazing album Let England Shake and self-produced, One Mile An Hour's self-titled debut album follows a structure that owes inspiration from such beautiful landscapes, literature and ways of life.
Starting softly with Sunken Ships sets a capturing tone that highlights the vocal talent of Jeff Knightly. It progresses to Trouble's Roots which references Finnish literature and In Return takes its form from the landscape of Finland. From here the songs begin to surge and engross you culminating in a 10 minute long jam track Nine Eight: Live.
I cannot compare this band directly to one band; they describe themselves quite accurately as being like a conversation between many sources. The Grateful Dead, Pentangle, Fever Ray and Mew would certainly be major contributors forming a unique cocktail of ideas and influences into something very palatable. The perfect album to have with you when you just need to escape to somewhere better, One Mile An Hour are definitely one to take notice of.