Tourist (Limited Edition CD + Bonus DVD)

Athlete

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 26, 2005)
• Original Release Date: April 12, 2005
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Astralwerks
• ASIN: B0007N7YGI
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #102,164 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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
Athlete, the South London four piece comprised of childhood friends, return from the massive success of Vehicles & Animals with another album of catchy well-written indie-pop tunes on Tourist. This brand-new collection of Britpop-scented good-natured songs includes the brilliant single, 'Wires'. International edition of the band's 2005 album includes a bonus DVD (NTSC/All code) featuring 4 videos 'Wires', 'Tourist' (behind the scenes), 'Wires' (live) & 'Tourist' (live) plus 4 audio live tracks 'New Project', 'Vehicles and Animals', 'You Got The Style' & 'Shake Those Windows'. EMI. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Athlete - Tourist, April 25, 2005

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

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the finest complete albums in many years., November 27, 2005

By	Brad Cooper "Author of Guilty by Association" (Beckley, WV) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Truthfully, how often do you buy an album that is full of great songs? Most have...what?...three or four decent ones? If that?

Finally, the trend is broken.

Athlete's sophomore effort TOURIST provides 11 tracks of some of the best music in any genre for quite some time. The musical stylings are reminiscent of Coldplay but the lyrics of each song surpass those of the more well-known group. Another reviewer touched on it: Athlete is Coldplay, if Coldplay's songs had emotion.

The title track "Tourist" is sure to see time on the charts as are some of the others, but the strongest songs on the album are "Chances" and "Street Map". Nothing is better than a song whose lyrics hit home on the first listen and these songs do just that. If nothing else, TOURIST provides 11 straight tracks of musical brilliance. No need to push the 'skip' button on the CD player...that is, unless you want to go straight to your favorite song...and it's almost assured that one of the 11 will become one of your favorites.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good New Album (3.5 stars really), April 28, 2005

By	Midge (NY) - See all my reviews

On Athlete's first release, "Vehicles and Animals," the English band showcased a rather bubbly form of pop/rock that sounded more like a European version of Fountains of Wayne minus the suburban lyrics. While well formed and accessible, their first release played a little bit like a guilty pleasure due to its electronically bolstered teenaged feeling. On this, their sophomore release, Athlete has taken a step in another direction. Comparisons to label-mates, Coldplay, now abound, as the boys have adopted a much more somber, serious sound. Yes, it is true that certain tracks such as second single "Half Light" or "Street Map" could easily fool the casual listener into believing he or she was listening to Coldplay, but should Athlete be held liable for this similarity? It would be easy to accuse Athlete for jumping on the Coldplay/Keane bandwagon, but I'd rather judge the record for what it is and not what it is like. Whereas "Vehicle's" first single "You Got The Style" was a fairly good indicator of what else lived on that record, with its dance worhty "It's gettin' hot in here" lyric, "Tourist's" first single "Wires" is similarly typical of the record as a whole. Easily one of the highlights of the record, "Wires" is an emotionally charged, melodic track written about singer Joel Pott's prematurely born child. Other key tracks include the upbeat "Modern Mafia," the beautiful "I Love," and the title track. If Athlete improves upon "Tourist" in the same manner this release was an improvement over their debut, Athlete stands to beg the question, "Coldplay who?"