By Athlete, 2005

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.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

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