All good things must come to an end and so it is with Olympians grand venture, The Book Club. This final release, aptly named ‘Part Four’ following on as it does from parts one, two and indeed three, signals the culmination of a year’s work for the Norwich based math-poppers.
Appropriate then that lead single, “Everything’s Amazing! (Nobody’s Happy)”, should begin with choral harmonies that wouldn’t feel inappropriate as part of a funeral. Unintentionally perhaps they are saying their goodbyes. It could also be a goodbye to the past for Olympians, with drummer Ed leaving a new line up (possibly) and a new beginning beckons for the band as they enter 2013.
What the current line-up leaves behind is a piece of work that grew and evolved over the course of the year and saw them embrace experimentation and musical freedom. Part four showcases both the subtlety of their vocals, Ben’s harmonies are perfectly balanced against Dan’s slightly old fashioned and charming singing voice on the lead single, and their love of sound.
It is a testament to the quality of music on show that, despite numerous listens, we still cannot decide on a favourite track. Either from this specific release, or the Book Club as a whole. Both versions of “Everything’s Amazing!” captivate us in differing ways (the mellowness of “(Nobody’s Happy)” and the bouncy twitchiness of “(Nobody Died)”, while each of the three preceding lead singles (“The Great Gatsby”, “The Dictionary” and “It Was Words That Sunk Our Ship”) are fantastic in their own right. If pressed we would plump for “It Was Words…”, just ahead of “The Dictionary”.
It was an ambitious project but one the guys pulled off with some style and no small amount of charm and laughter. It may well be an ending for The Book Club but with a new EP already recorded, and an album on the way, there is still a lot more to come from Olympians. We can’t wait.
The Book Club is open to new members until 10 December so hurry and click to get some CDs in a book while you still can, it’s only £10. Here’s some blurb about it to get you excited.
The Book Club is a series of four singles released throughout 2012 in a series of CDs in limited edition handmade cases that fit nicely inside a hollowed out hardback book. Club members also get a host of extra material, remixes and a limited edition poster.
UPDATE: The guys have now released a video of swirling rainbow epilepsy to accompany “Everything’s Amazing! (Nobody’s Happy)”, which you can watch below.
Read More: Listen: Olympians – “It Was Words That Sunk Our Ship”
Olympians In Session: In Session… Olympians – “From Your Head” / In Session… Olympians – “The Dictionary”
Alphabet Bands 
some of their songs feel a bit like comedy that I dont get, which happens a lot, so I am sure they are as you say…and its something I am just not quite getting.