Black Swan by Athlete - DeepRiffs

ALBUM

Perhaps it’s no coincidence that “Wires,” Athlete’s highest-charting single to date, is also one of the band’s most subdued tunes. Since the release of Vehicles & Animals in 2003, Athlete has been universally compared to Coldplay, another British band with a penchant for soaring, supersized pop songs. Both groups make albums designed for the Wembley Stadiums and O2 Arenas of the world, but Coldplay does so with more finesse, not to mention a higher degree of commercial success. Athlete has been left to pick up Chris Martin’s crumbs, and it’s only when the band turns down the volume and settles into something different -- a quiet, poignant groove -- that they establish their own identity. The best track on Athlete s fourth album is “Love Come Rescue,” an acoustic ballad that, like “Wires,” sounds significantly quieter than the songs surrounding it. Sparse and haunting, it’s a reminder of the raw talent that exists beneath the band’s swirling guitar riffs and effects pedals. Black Swan still concerns itself with anthems -- there are many of them here, and most are more than four minutes long -- but the track list is broken up by the occasional ballad, and the tracks that do pump up the volume do so with a nuanced, mature approach. Athlete still has work to do in the lyrics department; sentiments like “I’m on fire and nothing’s gonna hold me back” can’t help but sound clichéd when paired with such driving, grand orchestration. Black Swan is a definite sign of progress, though, and the band would do well to follow its path on future releases.
© Andrew Leahey /TiVo

1. Superhuman Touch

Composer: Athlete; Composer
Background Vocals: Tim Wanstall
Stephen Roberts
Carey Willetts; Performer
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Drums: Stephen Roberts; Performer
Guitar: Jonny Pilcher
Joel Pott; Performer
Lyricist: Athlete; Composer
Engineer: Athlete
Paul Wilkinson
Mike Tarantino; Production
Keyboard: Tim Wanstall; Performer
Performer: Carey Willetts
Jonny Pilcher
Joel Pott
Stephen Roberts
Tim Wanstall; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Don Tyler; Production
Mixing: Michael Brauer; Production
Vocals: Joel Pott; Performer
Producer: Tom Rothrock; Production
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Primary Artist: Athlete; Main Performer
Studio Personnel: Mike Tarantino
Athlete
Michael Brauer
Paul Wilkinson
Don Tyler; Production
Composer Lyricist: Athlete; Other

2. The Getaway

Composer: Athlete; Composer
Background Vocals: Carey Willetts
Tim Wanstall
Stephen Roberts; Performer
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Drums: Stephen Roberts; Performer
Guitar: Jonny Pilcher
Joel Pott; Performer
Lyricist: Athlete; Composer
Engineer: Athlete
Mike Tarantino; Production
Keyboard: Tim Wanstall; Performer
Performer: Joel Pott
Stephen Roberts
Jonny Pilcher
Tim Wanstall
Carey Willetts; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Don Tyler; Production
Mixing: Tom Rothrock; Production
Vocals: Joel Pott; Performer
Producer: Tom Rothrock; Production
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Primary Artist: Athlete; Main Performer
Studio Personnel: Mike Tarantino
Athlete
Tom Rothrock
Don Tyler; Production
Composer Lyricist: Athlete; Other

3. Black Swan Song

Background Vocals: Carey Willetts
Tim Wanstall
Stephen Roberts; Performer
Composer: Athlete; Composer
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Cello: Rhian Porter; Performer
Drums: Stephen Roberts; Performer
Guitar: Jonny Pilcher
Joel Pott; Performer
Lyricist: Athlete; Composer
Engineer: Athlete
Mike Tarantino; Production
Keyboard: Tim Wanstall; Performer
Performer: Stella Page
Rhian Porter
Carey Willetts
Amanda Drummond
Joel Pott
Jonny Pilcher
Stephen Roberts
Prabjote Osahn
Athlete
Tim Wanstall; Performer
Viola: Amanda Drummond; Performer
Violin: Stella Page
Prabjote Osahn
Athlete; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Don Tyler; Production
Mixing: Tom Rothrock; Production
Vocals: Joel Pott; Performer
Producer: Tom Rothrock; Production
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Primary Artist: Athlete; Main Performer
Studio Personnel: Mike Tarantino
Athlete
Tom Rothrock
Don Tyler; Production
Composer Lyricist: Athlete; Other

4. Don't Hold Your Breath

Composer: Athlete; Composer
Background Vocals: Carey Willetts
Tim Wanstall
Stephen Roberts; Performer
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Drums: Stephen Roberts; Performer
Guitar: Jonny Pilcher
Joel Pott; Performer
Lyricist: Athlete; Composer
Engineer: Athlete
Mike Tarantino; Production
Keyboard: Tim Wanstall; Performer
Performer: Joel Pott
Stephen Roberts
Jonny Pilcher
Tim Wanstall
Carey Willetts; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Don Tyler; Production
Mixing: Tom Rothrock; Production
Vocals: Joel Pott; Performer
Producer: Tom Rothrock; Production
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Primary Artist: Athlete; Main Performer
Studio Personnel: Mike Tarantino
Athlete
Tom Rothrock
Don Tyler; Production
Composer Lyricist: Athlete; Other

5. Love Come Rescue

Composer: Athlete; Composer
Background Vocals: Carey Willetts
Tim Wanstall
Stephen Roberts; Performer
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Drums: Stephen Roberts; Performer
Guitar: Joel Pott; Performer
Lyricist: Athlete; Composer
Engineer: Athlete
Mike Tarantino; Production
Keyboard: Tim Wanstall; Performer
Performer: Stephen Roberts
Tim Wanstall
Carey Willetts
Joel Pott; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Don Tyler; Production
Mixing: Tom Rothrock; Production
Vocals: Joel Pott; Performer
Producer: Tom Rothrock; Production
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Primary Artist: Athlete; Main Performer
Studio Personnel: Mike Tarantino
Athlete
Tom Rothrock
Don Tyler; Production
Composer Lyricist: Athlete; Other

6. Light The Way

Composer: Athlete; Composer
Background Vocals: Carey Willetts
Tim Wanstall
Stephen Roberts; Performer
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Drums: Stephen Roberts; Performer
Guitar: Jonny Pilcher
Joel Pott; Performer
Lyricist: Athlete; Composer
Engineer: Athlete
Mike Tarantino; Production
Keyboard: Tim Wanstall; Performer
Performer: Joel Pott
Stephen Roberts
Jonny Pilcher
Tim Wanstall
Carey Willetts; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Don Tyler; Production
Mixing: Tom Rothrock; Production
Vocals: Joel Pott; Performer
Producer: Tom Rothrock; Production
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Primary Artist: Athlete; Main Performer
Studio Personnel: Mike Tarantino
Athlete
Tom Rothrock
Don Tyler; Production
Composer Lyricist: Athlete; Other

7. The Unknown

Composer: Athlete; Composer
Background Vocals: Carey Willetts
Tim Wanstall
Stephen Roberts; Performer
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Drums: Stephen Roberts; Performer
Guitar: Jonny Pilcher
Joel Pott; Performer
Lyricist: Athlete; Composer
Engineer: Athlete
Mike Tarantino; Production
Keyboard: Tim Wanstall; Performer
Performer: Joel Pott
Stephen Roberts
Jonny Pilcher
Tim Wanstall
Carey Willetts; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Don Tyler; Production
Mixing: Tom Rothrock; Production
Vocals: Joel Pott; Performer
Producer: Tom Rothrock; Production
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Primary Artist: Athlete; Main Performer
Studio Personnel: Mike Tarantino
Athlete
Tom Rothrock
Don Tyler; Production
Composer Lyricist: Athlete; Other

8. Awkward Goodbye

Background Vocals: Carey Willetts
Tim Wanstall
Stephen Roberts; Performer
Composer: Athlete; Composer
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Cello: Rhian Porter; Performer
Drums: Stephen Roberts; Performer
Guitar: Jonny Pilcher
Joel Pott; Performer
Lyricist: Athlete; Composer
Engineer: Athlete
Mike Tarantino; Production
Keyboard: Tim Wanstall; Performer
Performer: Stella Page
Rhian Porter
Carey Willetts
Amanda Drummond
Joel Pott
Jonny Pilcher
Stephen Roberts
Prabjote Osahn
Athlete
Tim Wanstall; Performer
Viola: Amanda Drummond; Performer
Violin: Stella Page
Prabjote Osahn
Athlete; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Don Tyler; Production
Mixing: Tom Rothrock; Production
Vocals: Joel Pott; Performer
Producer: Tom Rothrock; Production
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Primary Artist: Athlete; Main Performer
Studio Personnel: Mike Tarantino
Athlete
Tom Rothrock
Don Tyler; Production
Composer Lyricist: Athlete; Other

9. Magical Mistakes

Composer: Athlete; Composer
Background Vocals: Carey Willetts
Tim Wanstall
Stephen Roberts; Performer
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Drums: Stephen Roberts; Performer
Guitar: Jonny Pilcher
Joel Pott; Performer
Lyricist: Athlete; Composer
Engineer: Athlete
Mike Tarantino; Production
Keyboard: Tim Wanstall; Performer
Performer: Joel Pott
Stephen Roberts
Jonny Pilcher
Tim Wanstall
Carey Willetts; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Don Tyler; Production
Mixing: Tom Rothrock; Production
Vocals: Joel Pott; Performer
Producer: Tom Rothrock; Production
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Primary Artist: Athlete; Main Performer
Studio Personnel: Mike Tarantino
Athlete
Tom Rothrock
Don Tyler; Production
Composer Lyricist: Athlete; Other

10. Rubik's Cube

Composer: Athlete; Composer
Background Vocals: Carey Willetts
Tim Wanstall
Stephen Roberts; Performer
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Drums: Stephen Roberts; Performer
Guitar: Jonny Pilcher
Joel Pott; Performer
Lyricist: Athlete; Composer
Engineer: Athlete
Mike Tarantino; Production
Keyboard: Tim Wanstall; Performer
Performer: Joel Pott
Stephen Roberts
Jonny Pilcher
Tim Wanstall
Carey Willetts; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Don Tyler; Production
Mixing: Tom Rothrock; Production
Vocals: Joel Pott; Performer
Producer: Tom Rothrock; Production
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Primary Artist: Athlete; Main Performer
Studio Personnel: Mike Tarantino
Athlete
Tom Rothrock
Don Tyler; Production
Composer Lyricist: Athlete; Other

11. Lucky As Hell

Background Vocals: Stephen Roberts
Tim Wanstall
Carey Willetts; Performer
Primary Artist: Athlete; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Drums: Stephen Roberts; Performer
Guitar: Joel Pott
Jonny Pilcher; Performer
Keyboard: Tim Wanstall; Performer
Performer: Carey Willetts
Athlete
Joel Pott
Jonny Pilcher
Stephen Roberts
Tim Wanstall; Performer
Vocals: Joel Pott; Performer
Composer: Athlete; Composer
Lyricist: Athlete; Composer
Engineer: Athlete; Production
Mastering Engineer: John Davis; Production
Studio Personnel: Athlete
John Davis; Production
Composer Lyricist: Athlete; Other

12. Animation

Background Vocals: Carey Willetts
Tim Wanstall
Stephen Roberts; Performer
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Drums: Stephen Roberts; Performer
Keyboard: Tim Wanstall; Performer
Performer: Jonny Pilcher
Stephen Roberts
Tim Wanstall
Joel Pott
Carey Willetts; Performer
Composer: Athlete; Composer
Primary Artist: Athlete; Main Performer
Lyricist: Athlete; Composer
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Guitar: Jonny Pilcher
Joel Pott; Performer
Vocals: Joel Pott; Performer
Engineer: Athlete; Production
Mastering Engineer: John Davis; Production
Mixing: Athlete; Production
Studio Personnel: Athlete
John Davis; Production
Composer Lyricist: Athlete; Other

13. Wild Wolves

Background Vocals: Carey Willetts
Tim Wanstall
Stephen Roberts; Performer
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Drums: Stephen Roberts; Performer
Keyboard: Tim Wanstall; Performer
Performer: Jonny Pilcher
Stephen Roberts
Tim Wanstall
Joel Pott
Carey Willetts; Performer
Composer: Athlete; Composer
Primary Artist: Athlete; Main Performer
Lyricist: Athlete; Composer
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Guitar: Jonny Pilcher
Joel Pott; Performer
Vocals: Joel Pott; Performer
Engineer: Athlete; Production
Mastering Engineer: John Davis; Production
Mixing: Athlete; Production
Studio Personnel: Athlete
John Davis; Production
Composer Lyricist: Athlete; Other

14. Sky Diver

Background Vocals: Carey Willetts
Tim Wanstall
Stephen Roberts; Performer
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Drums: Stephen Roberts; Performer
Keyboard: Tim Wanstall; Performer
Performer: Jonny Pilcher
Stephen Roberts
Tim Wanstall
Joel Pott
Carey Willetts; Performer
Composer: Athlete; Composer
Primary Artist: Athlete; Main Performer
Lyricist: Athlete; Composer
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Guitar: Jonny Pilcher
Joel Pott; Performer
Vocals: Joel Pott; Performer
Engineer: Athlete; Production
Mastering Engineer: John Davis; Production
Mixing: Athlete; Production
Studio Personnel: Athlete
John Davis; Production
Composer Lyricist: Athlete; Other

15. Ordinary Angel

Background Vocals: Carey Willetts
Tim Wanstall
Stephen Roberts; Performer
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Drums: Stephen Roberts; Performer
Keyboard: Tim Wanstall; Performer
Performer: Jonny Pilcher
Stephen Roberts
Tim Wanstall
Joel Pott
Carey Willetts; Performer
Composer: Athlete; Composer
Primary Artist: Athlete; Main Performer
Lyricist: Athlete; Composer
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Guitar: Jonny Pilcher
Joel Pott; Performer
Vocals: Joel Pott; Performer
Engineer: Athlete; Production
Mastering Engineer: John Davis; Production
Mixing: Athlete; Production
Studio Personnel: Athlete
John Davis; Production
Composer Lyricist: Athlete; Other

16. Black Swan Song

Background Vocals: Carey Willetts
Tim Wanstall
Stephen Roberts; Performer
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Drums: Stephen Roberts; Performer
Keyboard: Tim Wanstall; Performer
Performer: Jonny Pilcher
Stephen Roberts
Tim Wanstall
Joel Pott
Carey Willetts; Performer
Composer: Athlete; Composer
Primary Artist: Athlete; Main Performer
Lyricist: Athlete; Composer
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Guitar: Jonny Pilcher
Joel Pott; Performer
Vocals: Joel Pott; Performer
Engineer: Athlete; Production
Mastering Engineer: John Davis; Production
Mixing: Athlete; Production
Studio Personnel: Athlete
John Davis; Production
Composer Lyricist: Athlete; Other

17. Needle On A Record

Composer: Athlete; Composer
Background Vocals: Carey Willetts
Tim Wanstall
Stephen Roberts; Performer
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Drums: Stephen Roberts; Performer
Guitar: Jonny Pilcher
Joel Pott; Performer
Lyricist: Athlete; Composer
Engineer: Athlete
Mike Tarantino; Production
Keyboard: Tim Wanstall; Performer
Performer: Joel Pott
Stephen Roberts
Jonny Pilcher
Tim Wanstall
Carey Willetts; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Don Tyler; Production
Mixing: Tom Rothrock; Production
Vocals: Joel Pott; Performer
Producer: Tom Rothrock; Production
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Primary Artist: Athlete; Main Performer
Studio Personnel: Mike Tarantino
Athlete
Tom Rothrock
Don Tyler; Production
Composer Lyricist: Athlete; Other

18. Superhuman Touch

Composer: Athlete; Composer
Background Vocals: Tim Wanstall
Stephen Roberts
Carey Willetts; Performer
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Drums: Stephen Roberts; Performer
Lyricist: Athlete; Composer
Guitar: Jonny Pilcher
Joel Pott; Performer
Keyboard: Tim Wanstall; Performer
Performer: Stephen Roberts
Jonny Pilcher
Tim Wanstall
Carey Willetts
Joel Pott; Performer
Engineer: Athlete
Paul Wilkinson
Mike Tarantino; Production
Mastering Engineer: Don Tyler; Production
Mixing: Michael Brauer; Production
Producer: Tom Rothrock; Production
Primary Artist: Athlete; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Carey Willetts; Performer
Remixing: Steven Cowley; Production
Vocals: Joel Pott; Performer
Studio Personnel: Paul Wilkinson
Athlete
Michael Brauer
Steven Cowley
Mike Tarantino
Don Tyler; Production
Composer Lyricist: Athlete; Other

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

18 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

1 hour, 9 minutes and 40 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 1452x1452 px

Booklet

Available in PDF format

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

17/18 tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

16/18 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Pop/Rock, Adult Alternative, Brit Rock

Label

Polydor Records

Music Distribution Service

UMG Global

Country

United Kingdom

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Sep 21, 2009

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

602527193656