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Rating: THE REVIEW
Joel Pott, Carey Wilets, Stephen Roberts, Tim Wanstall; in other words, Athlete.
After making a name for themselves in 2003 with the decent debut "Vehicles And Animals" (particularly notable here in the Belpaese with the hit "El Salvador" - embarrassingly similar to "Complicated" by pseudo-rocker Avril Lavigne -), the four release the album that marks their definitive breakthrough, "Tourist".
Setting aside the vitality of the good episodes included in the previous album (especially coming to mind are "You Got The Style" and the aforementioned "El Salvador"), Pott and company shift towards still exquisitely pop but more studied and refined sounds; the result is an album that loses points in freshness and accessibility, but gains others by focusing on more thoughtful arrangements centered around more classic instrumentation (the inevitable piano in more emotional moments, the electric guitar in the - rare - more vigorous episodes).
Except for the excellent "Modern Mafia" (a pop diversion tinged with playful electronics), we're then in piano-pop scenarios highlighted right from the superb opening "Chances", an emotional crescendo of strings and piano, broken by the decisive guitar groove of the second single "Half Light". The work continues by alternating intimate moments of rare class and beauty (how can one not mention the excellent title track or the varied "Yesterday Threw Everything At Me", to date the best episode produced by the South London combo) with a few frankly offbeat tracks (the flat "Street Map" and the unnecessary closing "I Love"), which however do not significantly detract from the album's value. Truly superb are the emotional "Twenty Four Hours", where Joel Pott's voice becomes frankly essential, and the album's smash hit "Wires", a swirl of piano and acoustic guitar upon which a melody with considerable radio appeal is set.
An album that significantly improves on what was previously done and places the "athletic" Londoners in the golden world of great Albion bands.
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Summary by Bot
Athlete's second album Tourist marks a significant artistic breakthrough, advancing from their debut with more refined and thoughtful pop arrangements. The album features emotional piano-pop and classic instrumentation, highlighted by standout tracks like 'Wires' and 'Twenty Four Hours.' Despite a couple of weaker moments, the album solidifies the band's place in the realm of distinguished British indie music.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Athlete
Athlete are an English indie rock band from Deptford, London, formed in 2000. Their debut Vehicles & Animals (2003) was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize, and Tourist (2005) reached No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart, powered by the hit single Wires. Subsequent releases include Beyond the Neighbourhood (2007) and Black Swan (2009).06 Reviews
Other reviews
By charles
Originality is not at its peak; it all seems like things we’ve heard before.
The catchy melodies strike immediately, lingering in your mind like the mark of scissors remains on a sheet of paper.
By Alex1965
"A beautiful album that grows with each listen and is destined to remain through the years for its simple originality and straightforwardness."
"Joel Pott’s magnetic vocals and guitar arrangements create splendid sonic visions, as if Dinosaur Jr. fell hopelessly in love with Coldplay."
