2008-01-16
For Athlete’s third release, the band built on sounds captured on laptops while touring the United States. They recorded and produced the album themselves in a studio they built near their U.K. homes. Self-producing the CD may have been a mistake. A producer could have pushed them to be more creative, to test their limits. An undercurrent of potential runs through the CD, which makes the lackluster release especially frustrating. One major blunder on the CD is the insensitivity of the fist-pumping anthem “Hurricane” in light of Katrina’s devastation. In addition to a quote gone awry (“This is something we’ve gotta get used to”), lead singer Joel Pott sings, "Oh, hurricane. What you gonna do to us this time?” Us? The song sets up the U.K. boys as outsiders, which makes establishing a connection with the music difficult. --MLGTHE DIAMOND UNDERGROUND
Serve the Song
Penumbrae
One Way Drive
PICKWICK
Can't Talk Medicine
BLITZEN TRAPPER
American Goldwing
The Black Cats
The Famous Rockabilly Of The Black Cats
NICK CURRAN AND THE LOWLIFES
REFORM SCHOOL GIRL
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