Absolute Radio: Discover real music

It is probaly their best all round album! starts off with a great intro "In Between 2 States" then into the first single "Hurricane" which everyone knows is amazing "Tokyo" is underrated great song but not the best on the album. "The Outsiders" is the best song on the album and "In The Library" is one of my personal faves!! If you buy this album you wont be dissapointed! have a listen on the Amazon page for this album!

Rating: 5 out of 5

On first listen, Athlete's third studio album may initially appear a reasonably straight forward continuation of their previous effort, Tourist. But first impressions can often be misleading, and pleasingly, after just a few listens to Beyond The Neighbourhood that old adage proves as true here as ever. Once you've become accustomed to its sound, its structure and its nagging hooks, this is a record that reveals itself to be much more than just a regurgitation of the bands previous platinum selling success.

Although this is not by any means a full return to their belated Brit-pop roots, some of the inspired quirkiness and shape-shifting songs which were the hallmark of 2003's, Vehicles and Animals, but were notably downplayed two years later on the more commercially successful Tourist, have returned here. A fact sure to please the legions of fans won over by the individuality that dripped from the bands debut. The changing structure of many tracks is reminiscent of earlier works and will see you toe-tapping and humming along to the same tune you didn't think much of just twenty seconds earlier. The hands-in-the-air, sing-out-loud choruses of old favourites like El Salvador and Westside may not be immediately apparent, but that is not to say Beyond The Neighbourhood doesn't have it's hooks. First single Hurricane is as upbeat and defiant a track as the Deptford boys have come up with to date and both Tokyo and Second Hand Stores ought to make successful, almost anthemic singles.

Electronic experimentation around an indie framework has always been Athlete's bag and this album is certainly no different. The opening track In Between Two States is an atmospheric lo-fi instrumental Massive Attack would be proud of, and the theme is continued throughout, with varying degrees of success. The Outsiders which Pott cites as "about being English" is blessed with a gorgeous, lolloping soundtrack, unfortunately at odds with it's awkward lyrical content and Flying Over Bus Stops, although a beautiful wave-drenched lullaby is so gentle you'd be forgiven for thinking the CD had stopped and it's rather flailing semi-crescendo finale may lack the oomph to win back your attention.

Worthy of note is the 9/11 inspired Best Not To Think About It for which Pott employs a similar style of songwriting used on Tourist's award winning smash hit, Wires. Telling a very condensed personal story through the eyes of an imagined protagonist he deftly manages to evoke emotion and distaste without overtly making a political statement. The result is a respectful and dignified dirge. Reminiscent of Claptons Tears In Heaven, it's difficult to listen to because of the subject matter rather than the manner in which it is dealt.

On the whole an record more playful and upbeat than Tourist, more grown-up and settled than Vehicles And Animals, with Beyond The Neighbourhood, Athlete have combined the best of both previous albums to create a sound which, whilst instantly recognisable as their own, still manages to be both separate and distinct nonetheless. Although it is by no means flawless, Joel Pott and friends have taken a commendably progressive approach, that has created a third album echoing with depth and which rewards the repeat listener handsomely.

Winston Roache


Rating: 4 out of 5

I loved Athlete's first album, was lukewarm about the second, but think this one is a little beauty! I just can't stop listening to it. The stand out track for me is Second Hand Stores with it's madly passionate intro but all the tracks are wonderful.

Rating: 5 out of 5

The album kicks off (or should I say floats off) with a beautiful instrumental piece, called In Between Two States. This album manages to mix the experimental parts of the first album and on tracks such as Its not your fault and Flying Over Bus Stops the emotion of the second. Definitely feel this is their best album so far, with some great singles such as Hurricane and surely Tokyo which has a great upbeat swagger to it. If the last album was more introspective and melancholy in places, this album is a lot more upbeat and I smile when I hear it.

Rating: 4 out of 5

I own both of Athlete's previous two albums and can safely say this one is their best so far.

Rating: 5 out of 5