Athlete: 'Beyond The Neighbourhood'

Following on from their sophomore effort ‘Tourist’, Athlete have returned with a third attempt in the form of ‘Beyond The Neighbourhood. Both their previous release and their debut (‘Vehicles and Animals’) achieved great a great deal of success, considerably raising the bar of expectation for Athlete. ‘Beyond The Neighbourhood’ builds on the sparse and yet overwhelming stylings of ‘Tourist’, pairing detached electronic beats, resonant synths and lilting guitars with more than a smattering of more traditionally "indie" stylings. These traditional leanings are invariably the weakest points of ‘Beyond the Neighbourhood’, allowing Athlete to dip their heads below the pack and become interchangeable with Snow Patrol, Coldplay et al.

Athlete’s ace card has always been the quirky edge they bestow on certain recordings, a charming element still in evidence here. ‘Flying Over Bus Stops’ is a particular highlight, an oceanic lullaby swathed in layers of charming synthetic fuzz and dual vocals that evokes the appeal of The Postal Service at their finest. Unfortunately, this is a rare high point in the midst of a remarkably average record. Perhaps this will finally take them into the league of their so called peers, but it will be at the expense of everything that made them so wonderful and unique in the first place.

Released 3rd September 2007 by Parlophone.

Written by Molly Stewart.