What makes Old School Dropouts by The Connells notable?

The album received positive reviews from critics and helped solidify The Connells' presence in the indie rock scene of the early 2000s. Notably, it featured the single 'Slower,' which garnered significant radio play and contributed to the band's continued influence on the genre and emerging bands of that era. Released in 2001, Old School Dropouts is The Connells' fifth studio album, following their 1998 release, Still Life. At this point in their career, the band was experiencing a transition as they sought to expand their audience while maintaining their signature sound, blending catchy melodies with thoughtful lyrics.

How many songs are on Old School Dropouts?

Old School Dropouts has 11 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

Released 25 years ago this October

Old School Dropouts

The Connells · 2001

40 min · 11 tracks · pop rock

Melodic pop rock intertwined with introspective lyrics and jangly guitars, creating a nostalgic yet fresh soundscape.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Gladiator Heart — This track exemplifies the album's blend of catchy hooks and reflective lyrics, encapsulating the band's ability to craft anthemic choruses while exploring deeper themes.
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Bust — Opening the album, this track sets a vibrant tone with its driving rhythm and engaging melody, showcasing The Connells' signature sound right from the start.
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Back to Blighty — With its poignant storytelling and vivid imagery, this song highlights the band's lyrical depth and emotional resonance, making it a standout moment on the album.
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Radio — This track balances upbeat instrumentation with heartfelt lyrics about connection and communication, reflecting the band's knack for relatable themes.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album blends melodic pop rock with introspective lyrics, creating a nostalgic sound that resonates well but lacks standout cohesion.

What we noticed

The first half of the album maintains a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
Several tracks feature layered guitar melodies that create a rich, jangly texture, particularly evident in 'Gladiator Heart' and 'Airlift.'
Lyrically, the songs often explore themes of nostalgia and introspection, with a conversational delivery that invites listener engagement.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Bust 3:06
2 Gladiator Heart 4:27
3 Back to Blighty 4:05
4 Radio 4:05
5 Put Down 3:58
6 Airlift 3:04
7 All the Time in the World 3:17
8 Rusted Fields 4:41
9 Hello Walter 3:35
10 Washington 3:48
11 The Bottom 2:00

What to play next

Listen next

Steadman’s Wake

2021

Go back to

Still Life

1998

Full The Connells discography Artists like The Connells

pop rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata