Wow, this is a great album, from beginning to end. I especially love the first two tracks "Chances" and "Half Light," which immediately make the album a must-have. But with tracks like "Wires", "Street Map," and "Modern Mafia," Athlete proves they have the endurance and talent to be around for a long time. Even though this group is under the radar, I have the feeling they are one song away from breakout and we'll find people buying this album and their others once that happens. I don't really see the Coldplay comparison, except maybe musically in early Coldplay CD's. They seem a little closer to Embrace, but let's face it. This CD is just good British Rock, so you can find pieces of bands like Radiohead, Oasis, Snow Patrol, and Keane mixed into their sound. One of my favorite things about this CD are 1) the way that lead singer Joel Potts phrases his lyrics. Often, he will pause between words or in the middle of the word and the effect keeps the vocals from being boring, and 2) the bass guitar of Carey Willetts. The bass is pounding and I love his bass lines, especially the one in "Half Light." When you hear the song, you will know exactly what I am talking about. Go ahead and buy this CD. I bought it used, since it is a little pricey on Amazon ($14.98). I am now waiting on "Beyond The Neighbourhood" to come in the mail to me.

This album makes me want to walk, not run, a marathon. There's nothing jarring about Tourist, but somehow it makes you want to stand up and say, "Man, I wish I were wearing pants." The song Tourist is a rousing anthem that, if you don't like it, I don't think we are going to be friends.

What a shame? Such a great band with no world wide recognition,they should be way bigger than they are,why didn't the Brit awards nominate them or something?! They came up with amazing tracks,this band produced singles that became very popular cause they are so damn good,my fave would be "You got the style","Westside" and "Beautiful",this album is as good,i only heard "Wires" before getting the album,but then i discovered the whole album is actually great,it should be a world wide best seller, not only in the UK,you got classics in this album,there is something about his voice,i just don't what it is,soothing and relaxing,i miss hearing them from time to time,this rarely happens to me with music,they are simply as good as Coldplay,Keane and Snow Patrol.You won't regret getting this album,you'll thank moi...

I have bought this album for like 10 people, it is great. love it. I think they will be big in the us at some point, i'm hoping that it is after i get to see them live in a small venue. They have a great electro-groove. if you like coldplay you'll dig it up.

A year and a half along after first listening to this album, it still remains on my playlist. What strikes me is not the depth of the lyrics, which can sometimes be described as lacking depth (still much more mature than Vehicles and Animals). But rather, the fact that the music is moving for when you're in a particular mood...brooding when listening to Street Map or Trading Air, singing/humming along to the more energetic Half Light or If I Found Out.

Sigh...the music still harks me back to the times when I listened to it frequently last year, riding around on the Tube and trains while living in London.
(I had the fortune of watching them at their concert at the Hammersmith Apollo, which did not stray far from the original score and arrangements. I would have hoped for some variation and creativity, but perhaps that will come in future tours)

I may not be the most discerning listener, but regardless, Tourist remains one of the choice albums of my music collection.