This is Athlete’s third album. 9 months in the making it is finally making an appearance in the shops (released at the beginning of September), some 7 months after the recording finished and the production began. It has a lot to live up to as Athlete are one of those rare bands whose second release,
Tourist, (the release that is widely believed to be the most difficult one) outperformed and outsold their successful debut offering. However, given such a successful second release in the album
Tourist, left Athlete in perhaps an unenviable position when trying to make a third album which needed to be at least equal to
Tourist given the 3 year gap and that the band have been out of the music magazines and touring circuit.
The ambient mood of Athlete’s songs give them a distinct quality that takes them away from the group name that is usually used to describe them – Britpop. Athlete are a band who are not as easily defined by this word as so many other British Indie bands of the moment.
The opening track,
In Between 2 States is an instrumental. The decision to use such a beautiful and melodic opener that eases the listener into the album rather than smacking the listener in the face with a fast paced opening pitch is a breath of fresh air. However, it is the lyrics of other tracks that have set Athlete apart from the others in the past. This is an intelligent band both musically and lyrically. Their concern for the world around them is heard in tracks such as
Airport Disco which considers global conflicts. As drummer, Stephen Roberts, puts it, “in this amazing world where so many mad things keep happening” this is a band who do not shy away from the bigger picture and they can certainly not be accused of being shallow.
Frontman, Joel Pott, often sounds as though he has the weight of the world on him. His distinctive voice has an air or sorrow and melancholy that works perfectly with the reflective and introspective lyrics of the tracks.
Hurricane was inspired by a National Geographic article discussing climate change. Bassist Carey Willets says of the theme of the album that these are songs to reflect the “issues our generation is concerned and confused about”. It is surprisingly enjoyable to review an album that is not concerned with teenage angst or love found and lost.
Beyond The Neighbourhood is not perfect and some of the songs are mediocre although they are not dull. This is a relatively strong album by a band that have rightly become established as talented and intelligent. This is not a band for everyone and comparisons to Coldplay are not unreasonable. Their pensive songs may feel, at times, like preaching to some and in a market awash with Indie bands, perhaps their niche is a little too narrow for this album to be a big seller and maybe their days of sell out tours will remain in the past from their
Tourist days.
If a number one album is what this Deptford band is trying to achieve, I fear that their dreams for this album will not be realised. If it is the retention of integrity and creating songs that are not written by the numbers or with the sole purpose of getting a number one single, then I imagine the band are very pleased with this album. Joel Pott is also a far less irritating personality than Chris Martin and this has to be a good thing. However, the persistence of political songs in this album grate far too early. Rather than advise, educate or question, the global issues focus of the album becomes mildly irritating. Not even controversial enough to find yourself angered at the songs, the album simply goes from quite interesting to a little annoying. Musically, being so bland rarely makes for interesting or great songs.
Coming to the end of an album without having a strong emotion either for or against what you have heard does not make for a great musical contribution to popular music. Athlete certainly have talent, intelligence and an admirable refusal to falling into the easy pop formula that would make them instant hits in the download charts. However, this is not enough to set out this album into being one that the listener will want to play over and over again. The thing with music, what makes a song or band or album great, is allowing the audience to feel the music, for the music to become part of them. Athlete may write politically sensitive songs about global issues, but they fail to make the listener feel any personal understanding of the songs created. Unlike the amazing
Wires from
Tourist, Athlete have forgotten that music has to have an element allowing a listener to empathise with the band, and that is their downfall. An acceptable and well produced album, that just misses out on all the targets.
Tracks can be heard at
www.myspace.com/athlete and details of their current tour are listed there. There are 4 tracks listed, 3 from
Beyond The Neighbourhood. The last being
Wires and unfortunately this is the best of the 4 tracks available. The band also have their own website which can be seen at
www.athlete.mu The album is widely available now.
