Athlete - Black Swan

  by Anthony Strutt

published: 12 / 12 / 2009

Label: Fiction
Format: CD

intro

Anthemic-sounding pop on excellent fourth album from London-based act, Athlete

Athlete who come from Greenwich now have a new base at Fiction Records, which was once the home to the Cure. 'Superhuman Touch' starts off the album. It has a 1980's heavy synth pop feel, while its vocal from singer, Joel Potts, is a grower. Like the best of Snow Patrol, it is a very catchy pop number. 'The Getaway' begins by sounding jangly, but eventually speeds up and eventually outdoes Coldplay as a dramatic pop number. 'Black Swan Song'is an anthemic lighter-in-the-air track, and 'Don't Hold Your Breath' is a sing-a-long number, which sounds like a crowd favourite from its first listen. 'Love Come Rescue' is stripped down to one acoustic guitar and a naked vocal. 'Light the Way' goes back to a band sound, and features jangly guitars that sound like the Shadows and an anthem-paced drum beat. 'The Unknown' is another sing-a-long number, while 'The Awkward Goodbye' is an example of classy, masterful songwriting. 'Magical Mistakes' is another anthem, a song to get a crowd going, while 'Rubik's Cube', which ends the cd, is a slow burner, acoustically played and backed by soft-paced guitar and piano. A classy act from S.E.10

Track Listing:-