Olympian

Olympian is the 1995 debut album by British rock band Gene, released on 20 March 1995 by Costermonger Records.

It is frequently recognised as one of the crowning achievements of Britpop.

The album sound is noted for being influenced by The Smiths, The Jam & The Small Faces. Aesthetically, the album cover is reminiscent of The Smiths’ sleeves.

The album reached number 8 in the UK albums chart, selling 70,000 copies and gaining a silver disc.

The image used for the cover is a still from Ingmar Bergman’s The Seventh Seal.

All tracks are written by Gene

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” 2:24
Total length: 40:31

US Bonus Tracks
No. Title Length
12. “For the Dead” 3:26
13. “Be My Light, Be My Guide” 4:03
Total length: 48:02

Personnel
Gene
Martin Rossiter – Vocals, Keyboards
Steve Mason – Guitar
Kevin Miles – Bass
Matt James – Drums
Additional musicians
Electra Strings:

Sian Bell – Cello
Jocelyn Pook – Viola
Jules Singleton – 2nd Violin
Sonia Slany – Lead Violin
Pete Thomas – String Arrangements
Production
Phil Vinall – Producer
Pete Hofmann – Engineer
Andy Vella – Design
Kevin Westenberg, Melanie Cox and Andrew Carruth – Photography