Personally, this band came out of nowhere to stun me. I first heard of them flipping through channels, and their video for 'Wires' came on MTV. I didnt think much of it. The same incident occured a few more times, and still didnt think much of it. Then i downloaded the song, 'Wires', and i was addicted to it. It could very well be the best single of 2005 thus far. I picked up their records a few days later.
What stuns me the most about this album, is how layered it is. Their sound is very full, and somewhat dreamy at times. The music is beautiful throughout.
The album kicks off with 'Chances', which at first, seems like a slow piano ballad, before blasting off in a chorus filled with a whole orchestra, which will leave you singing "It's all about your, cries and kisses". The next track, is the title track, 'Tourist', which starts with lead signer Joel Pott singing "This European air, it always warms my face" with nothing but an acoustic guitar.
The first single, 'Wires', definetly is a major highlight. It was written about when Joel Pott daughter was born premature, and had suffered complications. This is really beautiful. The lyrics just speak for itself.
The next track, is 'If I Found Out'. What will strike a chord to most people, is the choir that appears towards the end of the song. It defiently, something original and different. It didnt come off bad at all.
'Street Map' is another beautiful number. It starts off, very much like the opening track; piano and vocals. Half way through, it would seem that the record skipped and everything just stops, before the whole band coming in a few seconds later into one of most beautiful parts of the album.
The second last track is 'Twenty Four Hours' which is catchy, and gorgeous. This one will leave you singing for sure. The album ends off with 'I Love'. A slow, laidback track with nothing but an acoustic guitar, percussions, and a few etra sounds here and there. A good song, to end an incredible album.
Though most of the album being very depressing, one of a more upbeat track, would have to be 'Modern Mafia'. Its the most upbeat track on the record and will definetly leave you singing.
Many people compare Athlete's new sound to label mates, Coldplay. I also heard many people say that the reason for the change, could be because the label could be banking on the success, and tried to make these guys into a carbon copy. Personally, i think this album is way too good for such a comment.
Athlete have worked hard, and the music definetly displays their talent. The band has definetly grown musically a lot. This album is filled of catchy songs, which are really beautiful. There are no fillers in here for sure. Joel Pott writes them with such emotion, and he sings them even better. If you can get your hands on the limited edtion pressing with the DVD (which showcases the making of this record, the 'Wires' video, and other live tracks), its worth it as well. It will show you a behind a scenes look on the making of the record, which is pretty rad.
I highly recommend this release for fans of Coldplay, Radiohead, and such. People are starting to take these guys more seriously, following some witty moments on their previous record (im pretty sure 'Beautiful' would fit nicely to this record), which was pretty good too. The band has grown up, musically and lyrically, and they are one to watch out for in the coming year.
A fabulous record, and a great follow-up to the equally superb "Vehicles and Animals" (2003). This is what Coldplay's X&Y could have been, had they not succumbed to the temptation to go with a "big sound" for stadium concerts. (But don't get me wrong, I like X&Y.) The Athlete songs, some poignant and some witty, have a lot of space in them. They're honest and natural. A truly superb band. I can't recommend this warmly enough.
Athlete opened for Snow Patrol here in Chicago and found myself really enjoying their performance. Their CD is a nice collection of solid, well engineered indie music on par with anything else out there. Reminds me of GOOD Belle & Sebastian only Athlete is more consistent. An emotional but fairly mellow CD, it has taken a few listens but has grown on me. For those of you who enjoy music like Snow Patrol, Coldplay, Belle & Sebastian, Echo & The Bunnymen or Death Cab try this CD. Stand out tracks are Half Light, Trading Air and 24 Hours.
Athlete came on the scene a few years ago. I heard one of their songs on a Q Magazine CD and was impressed. They played a lot in Europe and I forgot about them. Now they are on their second record and it is very promising. "Chances" and Half Light" are very distinct sounding songs. It's a little more electronic sounding than a Keane song. This album has a bunch of weird minimal songs, but nothing really grabs you. There is Coldplay and Snow Patrol, and suppose that many people would rather be in those bands than Athlete. There is brilliance to some of these songs, but they don't really drive me to any emotional state. Mostly music connects with people on some emotional level. I bet people out there are crazy about the sounds of "I Love" but it doesn't do anything for me. I prefer Long-View and Low. Those are bands that make intimate music that I relate to.
A year and a half along after first listening to this album, it still remains on my playlist. What strikes me is not the depth of the lyrics, which can sometimes be described as lacking depth (still much more mature than Vehicles and Animals). But rather, the fact that the music is moving for when you're in a particular mood...brooding when listening to Street Map or Trading Air, singing/humming along to the more energetic Half Light or If I Found Out.
Sigh...the music still harks me back to the times when I listened to it frequently last year, riding around on the Tube and trains while living in London.
(I had the fortune of watching them at their concert at the Hammersmith Apollo, which did not stray far from the original score and arrangements. I would have hoped for some variation and creativity, but perhaps that will come in future tours)
I may not be the most discerning listener, but regardless, Tourist remains one of the choice albums of my music collection.
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