I remember hearing the song Wires by Athlete on my trusty radio back when I was a teenager.
First impressions were that the song sounded really sad (it was). But I recall that the DJ also shared that this song was inspired by one of the band members’ experience of his son being born premature (thus, the wires).
My teenage self was always good at deciphering lyrics so I could hear the words no problem… But my little mind was quietly blown when I was able to form the scenes in my mind from the words that were being sung.
All that to say that this song has a special place in my heart. Exposure effect means that the presence of this song on the album also shifted me toward listening to this album first, even though their first album Vehicles & Animals (2003) is the more acclaimed album. I believe it’s been awhile since I’ve listened to Tourist – so I wanted to give it another listen in 2026.
I put it on in the background while I played Stardew Valley but I found myself stopping quite often to listen to the songs. In particular, Chances and Yesterday Threw Everything At Me really made me stop and stare off into the distance clutching my chest, hahaha. The tracks Half Light and I Love were also light and hopeful. All in all, the album went down pretty smoothly. I even went back and started from Track 1 again.
From their Wikipedia page, it seems like the critics weren’t too impressed – too mopey to be a Coldplay, too soft to be a Keane. Is it possible to review music outside of its time/place? I’m not really sure. I do feel a bit indignant for Athlete though… Coldplay & Keane were unavoidable at the time! As it stands, I agree that this album isn’t pushing any boundaries. But I don’t think that was their intent. Maybe Athlete just wanted to make the music that they needed to make. I feel that it’s a solid effort. I’m still singing their songs 20+ years later. Maybe it’s just me, but it’s still one person in this world.
Not sure if I’m going to give stars… I think I will give their first album a listen though. Will report back.
N
the quarter light 