After their first album brought Athlete both commercial and critical success (including a Mercury Prize nomination), 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

Well i think this album is absolutely brilliant. It's easily within my top 3 favourite albums as there isnt a single bad song on the album! Alot of the songs start slowly and build up to somehting and they do it brilliantly! My favourites change all the time, but at the moment, it has to be "yesterday threw everthhing at me" and the superb "wires"

buy now!

It's an album which will be played for years to come!

Drab, one-paced, derivative, mediocre sub-Coldplay tosh. Music to make a half-hearted attempt to commit suicide by.

Although it's a good 2nd album, I enjoyed it much less than V&A. Having spent a long time listening to both, the first album clicks for me more. This, however is still a good album, but not their best I feel.

Love this album so much. I cant really choose a favourite track because I really do like them all but if I was forced it would probably be a tie between Chances and Yesterday Threw Everything At Me. Whether you know of Athlete or not, this album should be in your collection. Having seen them live, I rate rate this band highly enough.

Oh yes the most soulful album i have probably ever heard, every song is good and Wires - well what can i say - he wrote it about his baby in intensive care and WHAT A TUNE!!!!!

Buy it, if you dont want to fine, sure they wont mind!!

Roll on the new album!!