Black Swan

I don't normally write reviews on play.com however i felt compelled to do so after reading a poor review of this album. For starters the ambiance of this album is very different to those created beforehand which overall appears very different to their other albums. I personally think this progression is amazing and athlete pull it off very well. The album is more upbeat than usual still with the typical athlete balad. Some of the tracks to look out for are Superhuman Touch, Light the Way and Black Swan song which are very uplifting.

Brilliant album. I think this is their best work to date as a whole. Standout tracks for me are: Superhuman Touch, Black Swan Song, Don't Hold Your Breath and Magical Mistakes. If you are an athlete fan or even if your not a fan yet you should love this album!

Athlete's fourth album demonstrates their increasing maturity and continued excellences. Too often compared to the self indulgent pop of Coldplay they are now one of Britain's most assured studio acts deserving greater recognition. Whether Black Swan is the album to bring back the 'Wires' hype of a few years ago I doubt but this a fine record packed with quality numbers that deserves attention. The opening track 'Superhuman Touch' is fairly standard Athlete; instantly catchy and radio-friendly but nothing we haven't already heard. From track 2 on though we are treated to an array of excellent songs that play on the distinctive Athlete sound but take it that one step further. A particular highlight is 'Black Swan Song', a beautifully crafted yet seemingly simple track of rare quality that rivals anything in the band's back catalogue. The standard then rarely dips in what is their most consistent recording yet. I enjoyed 'Black Swan' after I first heard it but the album's true beauty is in the second listen when you realise you are singing along to songs that you have only heard once before as if they were old favourites.

Athletes 4th album is still some way from their best but is still a very good album. A couple of listens will clearly prove that this is better than their previous effort, but still some way away from the first two albums, especially their debut album, which is simply unmissable!

This album is packed with some great, catchy tracks. Superhuman Touch, The Getaway, Black Swan Song, Don't Hold Your Breath, Light The Way and Rubik's Cube are the songs to listen out for.

All in all, its an album worth listening to and could certainly bring a few new fans Athletes way.

Sorry but my days what's going on here?! Am I deaf or is everyone just on drugs? Definately not the album I was expecting from Athlete, I thought it was Keane at first! PLEASE DON'T GET ME WRONG I LOVE Althlete and am a huge fan... but I'm hugely dissapointed even after 4 listens. Just doesn't come close to any of their of other stuff in my opinion.

What? Did I really hear someone say 'Beyond the Neighboorhood' was a dissapointing album? Dude seriously, that's an amazing album you - what are thinking? Miles better than this in my opinion. Sorry just saying how I feel from a very dissapointed Athlete fan. Rubic cube is the only song worth any salt. :(