Album Review
Athlete – Black SwanAthlete – Black Swan

It's the fourth studio release from the Athlete crowd. After the disappointment of the last album, bar a couple of tracks, what was going to come of Black Swan?

/Superhuman Touch/ starts the album – it's a straight forward Athlete song, with gentle user friendly chords, a slow-rock pace, and perfectly tuneful vocals, guitars, everything. I've always admired how Athlete can't put a note wrong. It's probably because they don't include many notes in their songs. But anyway, besides all the regular stuff, there a synth bass and a square lead that make appearences, and another blippy sequence gets involved around the chorus. A bit of electronica thrown in there just to let the world know they're still down with the kids. Interestingly, the electro vibes don't make another appearance on the album.

/The Getaway/ follows: this track is actually really strong, and although it almost strays into eighties anthem territory, it's a real winner.

/Light The Way/ has an epic two minute build-up, climaxing in a disappointingly weak verse, and the chorus doesn't get much better. It's a massive shamke, as it sounded like it was going somewhere special.

This album lacks pace. It's very much a background album. It's quite clear that Athlete have moved on from who they once were, putting themselves out as a much more maturer band, the kind of band your Mum would like. So, at least you know what to get her for Christmas. It's not bad at all, but it certainly isn't very exciting, if exciting music is more your thing.

3/5

Review by Thom
 Band Members
Athlete - Band
Joel Pott (guitar, vocals)
Carey Willetts (bass)
Tim Wanstall (keyboards)
Stephen Roberts (drums)
 Track Listing
1. Superhuman Touch
2. The Getaway
3. Black Swan Song
4. Don't Hold Your Breath
5. Love Come Rescue
6. Light The Way
7. The Unknown
8. Awkward Goodbye
9. Magical Mistakes
10. Rubik's Cube
 Band Related Links
Athlete Myspace
Athlete Official Website
 Review Score Code
- Top Cheese
- Brilliant
- Pretty damn good
- Ok I guess
- What Was That?