The Connells - One Simple Word | 90s Rock Podcast

You know those bands whose names sound vaguely familiar, like maybe you saw a poster once or a dusty CD case in a college radio station bin? The Connells are that band. Formed in Raleigh, North Carolina in 1984, they’ve been hiding in plain sight for decades—long enough to chart a #1 single across Europe in 1995 with “’74–’75” while staying virtually unknown in their own country.

Their 1990 album One Simple Word might be their best-kept secret.

Sophisticated Jangle with a Shimmering Edge

Forget the pigeonhole of “jangle pop.” One Simple Word doesn’t just jangle—it shimmers, it sways, and at times it digs in with a surprisingly angular bite. The dual guitars create a layered interplay that’s part dream-pop, part post-punk tension, and part something else altogether. There’s sophistication here, but never pretension.

Tracks like “Speak to Me” recall the dark melodicism of Canada’s Moist, while “Stone Cold Yesterday” channels a bounce and lightness reminiscent of early Julian Cope or New Miserable Experience-era Gin Blossoms—but smarter.

Pre-Grunge Clarity, Post-Grunge Depth

Released just before grunge would bulldoze everything soft and shimmering off the airwaves, One Simple Word feels unburdened by angst. There’s no ironic detachment or flannel-drenched fury here. Instead, the Connells offer tight songwriting, smart arrangements, and emotionally resonant vocals shared across multiple members. Harmony-rich and hook-laden, it’s an album that floats, cuts, and occasionally stuns.

Wait—Was That a Shannon Cover?

Yes. Sort of. On “Too Gone,” the Connells surprise-drop a chorus lifted straight from Shannon’s 1983 electro hit “Let the Music Play.” It’s a jaw-dropping moment that’s either genius or puzzling—maybe both. Elsewhere, nods to 50s hand jive and late-80s Britpop textures offer unexpected spice.

The Sound of an Alternate Timeline

Here’s the mystery: how did this band—with REM’s producers in the credits and a killer TVT Records discography—never break through? Why does One Simple Word, with its blend of British-pop sensibilities, American college rock charm, and future-forward polish, remain a secret handshake among music nerds?

Maybe it’s because they were too melodic for grunge, too edgy for jangle pop, and too subtle for mainstream rock radio. Maybe it’s just bad timing. But that makes discovering One Simple Word now feel even more rewarding.

Final Verdict?

This album isn’t just worthy—it might be one of the great lost gems of 1990. It’s got the heart, the hooks, and just enough left turns to keep you curious. Fans of the Menzingers, early Goo Goo Dolls, and even Echo & The Bunnymen will find plenty to love here.

Want to hear the full breakdown and verdict? Listen to the full episode of Dig Me Out to hear how this understated indie rocker fared against some stiff competition in our June Rock Tournament. You’ll also catch community picks, listener comments, and a debate about what makes a song feel “ahead of its time.”

Songs in this Episode

• Intro - Stone Cold Yesterday

• 20:27 - Speak To Me

• 25:04 - Get A Gun

• 31:32 - Too Gone

• 36.21 - What Do You Want?

• Outro - Take A Bow

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