Athenaeum

Athenaeum | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 18, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic / Wea
• ASIN: B00005O6E3
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #110,888 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Suddenly

2. Damage

3. Comfort

4. Frozen in Time

5. Sweeter Love

6. Plurabelle

7. All My Life

8. Waiting For you

9. Mistake

10. If Baby's Gone

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Athenaeum takes the next step., January 14, 2002

By 

Rachel H. (Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Athenaeum (Audio CD)

Athenaeum's first major label release "Radiance" met with fairly broad success within the music community, with the single "What I Didn't Know" performing well on the charts. A few years later, the group is back with their self titled effort, "Athenaeum." I bought the album hoping for another "Radiance." What I have found is that like their first ablum, this CD can be listened to straight through. Every song can stand on its own merit, and together they are thoroughly enjoyable. It shows nice growth for the band, which makes me like it as much, if not more, than "Radiance."

Mark Kano lays down some stirring lyrics with such conviction that you can't help but get wrapped up in it. Alex McKinney throws out wonderful baselines. "Sweeter Love" is a masterpiece, and shows how the band has grown to incorporate new sounds into their presence. "Suddenly" "Frozen in Time" and "Waiting for You" and "Comfort" flesh out a great sound for the band. Every track has something to say...like a good movie, I find something new every time I listen to it. Very cerebral in that way, but also fun, with melodies that you can sing to and wailing guitars you can jam to.

Between records the band lost drummer Nic Brown and guitarist Grey Brewster, but added Remy Vogt (Tonic) and Mike Garrigan (Collapsis) to the lineup. They are going strong and sound as good as ever. If you are a fan of the now defunct, yet extremely popular band Collapsis, then you owe it to yourself to check out this band and this album. If you like what you hear, come check them out, their live shows in North Carolina are awesome! Hopefully they will be able to get on the road in earnest soon to bring "Athenaeum" and "Radiance" to a more national audience that I'm sure would appreciate them!

Buy this album! You won't regret it!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you thought Radiance was good., September 20, 2001

By 

thepoet "chewyluka" (Sherman Oaks, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Athenaeum (Audio CD)

With a thick and burly voice, like a toned down Brad Roberts of Crash Test Dummies, Mark Kano is able to tie all the loose strings other bands in alternative music have been ignoring. Not since Toad The Wet Sprocket have I heard a band with the melodic hooks and singable lyrics these guys posses. I would be doing them a somewhat disservice to say they are reminiscent of Vertical Horizon because these guys, and this album, are much better.

This self-titled release represents a three year wait from the release of their first album Radiance, a true tour de force with songs that magically missed radio. (Don't hesitate to pick up that album as well, it's another one you will not be disapointed with.) I would find it even harder to believe that could happen again. Songs like "Comfort" and "Damage" sound like possible singles with their up front alterno-rock sound and catchy as hell melody. And then for those of you looking for the more introspective mellow songs you might want to try "Frozen In Time". A song who's message will leave you wondering "Why havn't I heard these guys before?" It makes me wonder too.

The other tracks on the album are just as strong. "Waiting For You" & "Suddenly" also posses every possibility of being played on the radio with the likes of Verve Pipe and Better Than Ezra.

Really, this album has all the potential in the world (much like the band) and delivers some fantastic songs. In an age where sophomore albums can sound bland or uninteresting these guys are pushing ahead at warp speed. Buy the album now so that when your friends are trying to be cool and say "Hey have you heard of Athena....something?" You can respond "I've been listening to them for the last few months, where have you been?"

Just in case you are wondering how to pronounce their name "ATH-A-NEE-UM"! And don't worry, it's one name you won't be able to forget after listening.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not Quite a Guilty Pleasure, October 22, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Athenaeum (Audio CD)

One could call Athenaeum a guilty pleasure, but I wouldn't knock this band that low. When I hear guilty pleasure, I think of something bad that you enjoy. Athenaeum is far from bad though.
I was skeptical about this second album after reading some of the reviews, but I went out and bought it anyways. "Radiance" was awesome so I figured that Athenaeum would release another good album. Before the album came out, I was hoping that this would be the album to launch Athenaeum into the mainstream. Sadly, I don't think it will. But after one listen to "Sweeter Love", my hopes have been revived for this band. Maybe a future release will get this band their well earned recognition.
"Frozen in Time", "Comfort", "If Baby's Gone", "Damage", and "Suddenly" are all great alternative songs. They all manage to grow on you after a few listens. Mark Kano's voice is what makes the band. Sure the lyrics aren't great, but you won't care after you listen to this album. I am glad to say that this album is every bit as good as "Radiance" and hopefully Athenaeum will keep up the work.