Tourist [ENHANCED]

Athlete

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 10, 2005)
• Original Release Date: March 29, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Astralwerks
• ASIN: B0008ENJB0
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #55,162 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Chances

2. Half Light

3. Tourist

4. Trading Air

5. Wires

6. If I Found Out

7. Yesterday Threw Everything at Me

8. Street Map

9. Modern Mafia

10. Twenty Four Hours

11. I Love

12. [CD-Rom Track] [Multimedia]

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

After their first album brought Athlete both commercial and critical success in the U.K., it was always going to be a tough act to follow. But on Tourist, the London four-piece have ditched the quirky pop of their debut and instead created an album that rivals Coldplay with its sweeping guitars, soaring melodies, and emotive lyrics. Sonically, there's much going on here: from strings to electronic beats and squelchy, synthesized bleeps. As a result, Tourist manages to sound both epic and personal at the same time--a change reminiscent of Radiohead's move from the Britpop of Pablo Honey to the inspired songwriting of The Bends. Best of all, singer Joel Pott has managed to ditch the Mockney accent that marred their debut, making Athlete sound like a more serious proposition. And with songs like hit single "Wires," grandiose opener "Chances," and the bouncy, strutting "Modern Mafia," Tourist looks set to elevate Athlete to a whole new level. --Robert Burrow

Product Description

Indie-kids Athlete return with their exceptional new album 'Tourist', following on from the Mercury Music Prize nominated 'Vehicles & Animals'. This album is a significant step forward for the band, exploring new epic rock territory as previously inhabited by Coldplay & recently Keane, & includes the feel-good anthem 'Half Light' & hit single 'Wires'. Having received an outstanding response across press, TV & radio, those with any sense would place bets on Athlete being one of the biggest bands of 2005. Parlophone. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Athlete - 'Tourist', March 21, 2005

By	lipgloss_and_letdown "lipgloss_and_letdown" (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tourist (Audio CD)

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.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm Wired!!, October 7, 2005

By	Nse Ette (Lagos, Nigeria) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

`Tourist' is the sophomore set from UK indie rock quartet Athlete. Their sound is somewhat like a blend of Coldplay, Snow Patrol, Keane, and Radiohead.

I fell in love with their brilliant single `You got style' from their debut. When I heard the brilliant single `Wires', I knew I had to get this CD. It is a sweeping melancholic ballad featuring an achingly yearning vocal performance from lead singer Joel Pott, surging orchestration, and filled with static effects and distorted sounding guitars against a piano/string backdrop. Reportedly recorded for his sick infant. Definitely one of my top songs of this year!

The uptempo `Half light' incorporates electronic bleeps and a catchy Britpop sound. There's the melodic `Tourist', and the stirring, string drenched ballad `Chances' with pensive lyrics about seizing chances while you can.

`If I found out' is a sweeping epic and an almost gospel feel from the lyrics, and the backing choir. Moving and great!

A great addition to any music collection.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb, September 16, 2005

By	Garrett Fagan (PA, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.