Customer Reviews

Vehicles & Animals

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Just when I thought that I'd bever find another enjoyable album of music (as opposed to a track here or there), I accidently stumbled (as it seems everyone has) upon Athlete via a CD from Q magazine grandiously titled "The Best of 2003". Let me say that the only song on this CD that was listenable was "Shake Those Windows" by Athlete.

Why? Because they were prepared to leave spaces, happy not to have every instrument playing at the same time, allowed the song to breathe and build up in a bolero style, and included enough quirks to catch my ear.

I then progressed to the album and the standard was brilliantly sustained. Good songs, well arrranged, but different. I think there is a nod to Coldplay but I prefer Athlete by far.

Good on the Brits! After numerous US indie dirge/clunky/busy/amateurish bands being thrust at me recently, here's a magic album. Buy it.

I saw this CD at Tower records at a listening station and had to have it. It is a perfect CD to end this summer to. The songs are warm and sweet, light layers of light that just feel good. Here's some notable tracks. There are many that are good that I don't mention though.
-El Salvador is wonderful, makes you desire a roadtrip, the kind that just occurs with no planning or destination.
-Westside is an alright song, thought sometimes when I am in the mood to overanalyse, it just doesnt all fit together. Not the best track here.
-One Million is a good tune, somewhat seductive. The end is a little suprising to me.
-You've Got the Style is just so much fun. I loves it.

Overall, it's quite an enjoyable CD. I highly recommend it.

As a brit, I pretty much feel i can state with some sort of authority that this is some of the best british music anyone will hear this year... and hey, its pretty early on but this is classic stuff, so why not say some of the best you'll hear this decade? Although they got off to a slow start in terms of sales, an amazing live show and the sheer talent of these blokes from East London has made them a fave on the english festival curcuit this year. They've got talent, some beautiful (sorry, couldnt resist) tunes and sheer balls to make music which is completely original and totally refreshing to hear.

There really aren't any bad tunes on this album, so I can only make personal recommendations. "Westside" is a twinkly, sparkly tune which will leave a huge grin on your face and those of your amused guests when you start bellowing along with the chorus (i defy anyone not to - its infectiously good). "Beautiful" is an amazing, just perfect tune, with an epic-sounding chorus and amazing vocals. "One million" is softer, quieter and yet garanteed to melt any frozen heart. And "You Know" is pretty much in the same sing-along style as "Westside" but dont be fooled - this is not samey stuff. These I must stress are personal faves - theres something deeply lovable about every song.

In a nutshell? Upbeat, alt-rock-pop from another planet which is both heart-breakingly beautiful and resoundingly cheerful - Perfect Summer Music. You'll have to hear this stuff to see what i mean. BUY THIS ALBUM.

I stumbled upon Athlete by accident. It was the best mistake I've made all year. They mix Blur, Colplay, XTC with some other element that never seems to have been tapped before, a large part of their sound is just... Athlete. The album is wonderfully hooky. It kicks off with the athemic sing along-y "El Salvador" about simply getting out. It's one of those that makes you want to get out and find a different pace. The album continues with "Westside" another fun number with an original hook and a triumphant finish. "Shake Those Windows" is a heartfelt tune in the Coldplay vein.
Athlete's British Rock (...it's not just rock) is simultaneously energetic and heart warming. Their harmonies are fresh, their songs are extremely agile and their choruses are huge.
It's not all 100% memorable right away but that's a good thing it grows on you. In short this is a brilliant debut from a band that is quickly finding its sea legs "there's no need for us to go back in time/because we've found our open eyes" Joel sings in the title track; and I predict that soon they will be a force to be reckoned with.
Some highlights are "El Salvador" "Shake Those Windows" and "Vehicles and Animals"

Length of Play - 45:38
"Vehicles and Animals" is worth buying for the marvelous "El Salvador" alone, but there is PLENTY of great stuff here. From the swinging "Westside" to the wistful closer, "Le Casio", there is no filler at all and always a stunning hook waiting just around the corner to knock you off your feet. Tracks like "One Million", "New Project" and "You Know" are just overflowing with pensive, melodic, enrapturing music, and the anthemic numbers "Vehicles & Animals", "You Got The Style" and "Dungeness" are absolutely blissful as well. A sticker on the cover of this album with a quote from Q Magazine calls "Vehicles and Animals", and I quote, "life-affirming...pick any of the 12 songs and there is something to love." That's about as good and succint a description I can come up with. Definitely check this one out, I highly recommend it to all.

Borrowing and improving on the Beta Band's idea of blending folk-rock and sing-a-long choruses with subtle, whirring electronics, this four-piece band from South London have put together an astonishing debut. It sounds fresh, and it's fun to listen to. STandout tracks: "You Got The Style", "Westside", "One Million", "Shake Those Windows".

A date played "You Got the Style" for me (it worked), which inspired me to find the whole CD. At best, Vehicles & Animals is fun, uplifting and catchy, but after a while the sing-song quality of many of the songs starts to sound the same and it gets a little monotonous. It's a shame to say it, because I love "You Got the Style" and "Salvador," but I don't think the album is anything special, unless you want some mellow, cheerful background music.

Athlete has a different sound but one that definately puts a smile on your face.

"Vehicles and Animals" is worth buying for the marvelous "El Salvador" alone, but there is PLENTY of great stuff here. From the swinging "Westside" to the wistful, "Le Casio", there is no filler at all and always a stunning hook waiting just around the corner to knock you off your feet. Tracks like "One Million", "New Project" and "You Know" are just overflowing with pensive, melodic, enrapturing music, and the anthemic numbers "Vehicles & Animals", "You Got The Style" and "Dungeness" are absolutely blissful as well. A sticker on the cover of this album with a quote from Q Magazine calls "Vehicles and Animals", and I quote, "life-affirming...pick any of the songs and there is something to love." That's about as good and succint a description I can come up with. Definitely check this one out, I highly recommend it to all.

This is one of the best debut albums I've heard in a long while. Athlete compares favorably with Travis in my opinion, when Travis is more upbeat on songs like Why Does It Always Rain On Me and Sing. El Salvador, Westside, You've Got The Style and the title track Vehicles & Animals are all first class alternative rock songs and deserve to be on the charts here in the U.S. I saw Athlete at the Glastonbury Festival last summer, having never heard of them before, and definitely wish I'd had a chance to hear this cd first to really appreciate their performance.