Artist of the Week- Athlete

Covered ground just to reach your house
I know we need to talk
but I can’t catch my thoughts
Insides gripped scared of what you’ll think
Words I cant repeat
Could change all we’ve got

Set it off
someone better hit the alarm
Set it off
someone better help me disarm myself
I don’t want no one else
All I want is you
All I want is you

These lyrics are from the English band Athlete. They recently released their 4^th studio album Black Swan on August 24. They have received many honors, but no honor can be higher than receiving the Artist of the Week. Athlete has two musical styles, they have a fun-loving sound on their 1^st & 3^rd albums. Yet they have a stadium sounding, big production filled tracks on their 2^nd and current release. So it is hard to say what kind of band they are, because they keep changing their styles on us. But if you are into lyrics, like I am, then this band will really move you with its gut-wrenching lyrics.

Their first album, Vehicles & Animals, was released in 2003. It did not receive much critical acclaim, but it did reach an audience that fell in love with their playful sound. This album was a playful one, with songs like Westside & You Got The Style. The album also did include that very beautiful ballad, ironically called Beautiful. In my opinion, this band is at its peak when belting out a power ballad.

In 2006, Athlete decided to change their sound and go from a playful sound, to big stadium anthem tracks! In my humble opinion, their 2^nd album Tourist, was the best album released in 2006. For the exception of Modern Mafia, which totally sucks ass, the entire album is excellent. It goes from an electric sound to some lyrically provoking ballads. The song Yesterday Threw Everything At Me, starts off with an electric rock sound. At the end of the tracks, it sounds as if they unplug their instruments, and end the tracks with acoustic guitars, genius! I can not stress it enough, every song on this album is excellent! This is an album is one that has to be part of your collection, no joke! The track Wires received the Ivor Novello Award for Best Contemporary Song.

The year 2007 saw the release of the very forgettable album Beyond the Neighbourhood. It sucked! Don’t you just hate it when you hear a band and you wait for their next album, then you run out and buy it, only for it to suck ass! So I’ll just move on. Like I said, they released their 4^th album in August, and from what I hear, it compares to Tourist. Although they may never re-claim their success of Tourist, their latest album is the closest thing to re-capturing a sound that is unmistakably Athlete!

Unfortunately, they are only supporting their album in Europe. In the past, they have come out to the LA area, performing at the Fonda and El Rey, so keep you eyes & ears open!

Top 5 Songs

1. Yesterday Threw Everything At Me

2. Chances

3. Trading Air

4. Wires

5. Forest Fire (B-Side)

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