Depending on who you ask, Athlete are either Britain's answer to Pavement, the new Steely Dan, or The Beta Band's little brothers. Formed in 2000 by four friends who have known each other since the age of 14, Athlete were one of last year's most talked-about new bands in England. "Vehicles and Animals," their debut album, is a radiant blend of soulful indie rock and shiny pop sensibilities. London Times hailed it as "a British pop gem," while Q Magazine called it a "great record, guilelessly cheery and kno...   [ read more ]

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Beyond The Neighbourhood is a record of true progression and real quality. Its songs are built around the same effortless hooks and snagging melodies that have been Athlete's trademark since their debut single, 'Westside', was released in March 2002. But the album glows with a newfound musical confidence, its self-produced songs showing big leaps in terms of ambition, scope and creativity. Lyrically, too, the album is a striking success, pinpointing the joys, confusions and uncertainties of living, as drum...   [ read more ]

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Apparently damned in its home country for being just a little too much out of time -- the band is not really Brit-pop per se but has a certain amiableness about it that suggests a certain love of things from the heyday -- Athlete is perfectly, almost aggressively pleasant. "You Got the Style" might have been specifically about race riots in early 21st century Britain, but Athlete is not out to surprise, to disrupt, or to otherwise cause problems, while the band is also not "twee" as such,...   [ read more ]

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