Athlete - Chicago, IL

As all hard-core music fans know, keeping up with new bands for the chance to see them perform at smaller venues, while rewarding, can also be something of a chore. There are reviews to be read, listening stations to be visited and bugged-eyed friends who brag about their newest discoveries to be heard, and even then we miss plenty. The only time we get a little lead-time is when the band hails from another country and hasn't yet broken in America in a major way. Such was the case with Athlete last night at the Double Door, on what was likely to be one of the last hot and sticky nights of the summer.

Athlete was in Chicago a few months ago supporting Snow Patrol, and afterward there were more than a few people buzzing about the impressive opening band. Athlete probably would have smiled if they had heard themselves referred to as the opening band, considering that back home in England they regularly sell out 5,000 seat venues. But now they are an opening band no more as the quartet returns to America as headliners.

Critics and music fans alike greeted the band's debut Vehicles and Animals with high praise. Special care was given to melody which was combined with catchy lyrics and electronic ornamentation to make it a record that stood out from the crowd. The second outing Tourist has received a much more mixed reception. But regardless of the opinions of the recorded versions, one fact is indisputableïthe songs sound really great live.

, Joel Pott (guitar/vocals) has a head full of overgrown rock hair and comes armed with numerous guitars, amiable charisma and a pinch of cheekiness. While many British vocalist's accents seem to melt away while they are singing, his remains quite noticeable and at times is the exact thing that adds a twist to the lyrical phrasings that helps keep them unique. Pott is joined by Carey Willetts (bass/vocals) who rocks around the stage with total enthusiasm, a welcome change from the steely bass players that are so fashionable right now. Tim Wanstall (keyboards/vocals) adds not only the electronics, but also a fair amount of personal quirk. He didn't say much, his expression didn't emote much, yet he was inexplicably fun to watch. Maybe it was the sweater-vest. Rounding out the band is Stephen Roberts (drums/vocals) who is not only a decidedly skilled drummer, he's a smiley one to boot.

Starting things off was "Yesterday Threw Everything at Me," a leisurely ballad that set the tone for the set list: slower, melodic songs that don't always follow conventional song structure and that aren't afraid to break out into rock songs at a moment's notice. Highlights of the set did tend to be the older songs that got the entire room singing along like "El Salvador," "Westside," and of course "You Got the Style." "Trading Air" was a surprise of the night as it had not been a favorite of mine on the record, but the show forced me to warm to it immensely. "Wires" the first single also appeared during the end of set, but its distressing lyrics and chilling imagery make it a hard song to get excited about.

The band lost track of time and came out to play only one song for the encore. I was more than a little excited when the first notes of "Shake Those Windows" came coruscating through the amps. A great sing-along-song on which to end the sweat-soaked night.

Athlete is an immediately likeable, proficient band who actually sparkles from time to timeïand they sparkle most noticeably when they pick up the tempo and start moving. The band does not hold the room's attention as tightly as they could during the quieter moments and there were a few moments of loud chatter from the crowd that were completely irritating.

Anyone who has seen enough bands would instantly recognize that Athlete isn't a new band just getting in the game. They display a brand of professionalism that does not appear overnight. There is also confidence that does not seem to spring from arrogance, but from a basic, solid belief in the quality of the songs, and that is a lovely thing to see. They are a band I recommend catching, especially now while you can still see them at the smaller venuesïbecause who knows how much longer that's going to be possible?