What makes Olympian by Gene notable?

The album received critical acclaim upon its release, reaching number eight on the UK Albums Chart and solidifying Gene's place as key players in the Britpop movement. Its success helped pave the way for subsequent albums and influenced later bands in the genre. Olympian is Gene's debut album, released in January 1995, following their formation two years earlier. At this point, the band was rapidly gaining traction within the Britpop movement, capturing attention with their thoughtful songwriting and distinctive sound.

How many songs are on Olympian?

Olympian has 13 tracks, running approximately 48 minutes.

Olympian

Gene · 1995

48 min · 13 tracks · indie rock

Melodic indie rock infused with introspective lyrics and vibrant guitar riffs that echo the British alternative scene of the mid-'90s.

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Top tracks — play these first

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A Car That Sped — This track showcases Gene's knack for blending poignant storytelling with anthemic melodies, encapsulating the band's signature sound.
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Olympian — The title track stands out with its soaring chorus and reflective lyrics, serving as a manifesto of ambition and longing that resonates throughout the album.
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Truth, Rest Your Head — This song highlights Gene's lyrical depth, weaving themes of vulnerability and introspection into an engaging sonic landscape that invites deeper listening.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

54 /100

Foothills

Higher than 43% of albums we've rated

Olympian showcases solid songwriting and cohesive pacing, marking a notable entry in the Britpop scene.

What we noticed

The album opens with a strong mid-tempo track, followed by a sequence of songs that maintain a consistent melodic structure and lyrical introspection.
Several tracks feature prominent guitar riffs that create a vibrant soundscape, particularly in 'A Car That Sped' and 'London, Can You Wait?'.
The last three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, providing a reflective conclusion to the album.

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

Influence 4/10

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 Haunted by You 3:41
2 Your Love, It Lies 3:18
3 Truth, Rest Your Head 5:00
4 A Car That Sped 3:36
5 Left-Handed 2:20
6 London, Can You Wait? 3:11
7 To the City 4:00
8 Still Can’t Find the Phone 3:00
9 Sleep Well Tonight 4:36
10 Olympian 5:25
11 We’ll Find Our Own Way 2:25
12 Be My Light, Be My Guide 4:03
13 For the Dead 3:25

What to play next

Listen next

To See the Lights

1996

Full Gene discography Artists like Gene

indie rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata