Tourist
by Athlete
Metascore
46

Mixed or average reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 19
  3. Negative: 7 out of 19
  1. E! Online
    83
    The disc's cool atmosphere and expansive orchestral arrangements go a long way in making a mood.
  2. Q Magazine
    70
    Here, they are hitting their stride. [Feb 2005, p.98]
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  3. Mojo
    70
    Their horizons have broadened. [Feb 2005, p.102]
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  5. Lost At Sea
    65
    Fun, emotional, experimental-ready and personally uplifting.
  6. New Musical Express (NME)
    60
    The problem for Athlete is that Coldplay are returning in a matter of weeks to show how it's really done. [29 Jan 2005, p.59]
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  7. Rolling Stone
    60
    Swooning song-poetry and Coldplay karaoke over electronics-tinged arrangements that sound very pro forma.
  8. Under The Radar
    60
    Athlete often can't help but sounding formulaic. [#10, p.115]
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  9. Delusions of Adequacy
    60
    A solid collection of delicate songs.
  10. Dot Music
    50
    Unfortunately "Tourist" is derivative in only a one-dimensional sense: its imagination stopping where Wayne Coyne’s begins.
  11. Drowned In Sound
    50
    Athlete seem to have found a formula in the studio and left the autopliot in reverse.
  12. AllMusic
    50
    Unfortunately, too much of Tourist seems like an amalgam of other things, whether it's the Coldplay-ness of their ballads or the distinct Super Furry Animals influence that's been with Athlete all along.
  13. Paste Magazine
    40
    Instantly forgettable. [#16, p.139]
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  14. Pitchfork
    36
    Drama in music works perfectly fine in mediated, tactical doses, but for Tourist, the stakes are unrealistically high.
  15. PopMatters
    30
    A very disappointing step backwards.
  16. Prefix Magazine
    30
    [A] ham-fisted attempt at being exactly like everything else.
  17. Stylus Magazine
    25
    “Wires” does grow in stature with familiarity through radio exposure, and “Trading Air” could easily have the same kind of airplay success, but I can’t understand the mindset of anyone who’d want to play them over and over again when so many other, more exciting and intriguing things exist.
  18. The Guardian
    20
    If it's possible to imagine a gutted Coldplay or an even more comatose Snow Patrol, Athlete is it.
  19. Uncut
    20
    Tourist begins earnestly... and continues through 11 torpid ballads, drained of all their earlier quirks, seemingly laboratory-designed for those who find Keane too edgy. [Feb 2005, p.83]
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  20. Urb
    20
    Beck (Sea Change) and Coldplay (Parachutes) already made the exponentially better versions of this album. [Jun 2005, p.76]
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Awards & Rankings

86
#86 Most Discussed Album of 2005

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 64 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 47 out of 64
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 64
  3. Negative: 11 out of 64
  1. Screenager
    Jun 20, 2013
    8
    Its a logical progression but it sounds too much like Coldplay; clearly Athlete wanted to stay commercially successful after their debutIts a logical progression but it sounds too much like Coldplay; clearly Athlete wanted to stay commercially successful after their debut netted a nomination for the Mercury Prize, unlike that album this is a more mature sounding record. Gone are the toy-etic sounds of their debut in favour of piano-rock, simple structured songs, also gone is the fun and energy of that album replaced by depressing moods and lyrics. Clearly people will criticise this album for ripping off Coldplay, but in my opinion this really is a natural progression from their old sound and one that it is far more mature.… Full Review »
  2. gg
    Feb 14, 2007
    10
    Great
  3. RobC
    Nov 29, 2006
    4
    Just one or two good songs. They came late, the bri-pop wave is not here anymore.
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