Flunking Out

Flunking Out is an extended play by American alternative/indie pop band Curriculum. The extended play was released to digital retailers and streaming services, as well as limited physical formats, on 21 July 2014 via Blacklight Records. All on the songs on the EP were written by Gregory Preston Olivier, Phillip Mandelbaum, and Wyatt van Cleef and produced by Dana Breckenridge.

Released as a follow up to the band's highly successful sophomore album Sophomore, the EP was released the same day as "To Move On", the third single from Sophomore. Both the single and the EP received rushed and low promotion, eventually leading to low expectations of its potential commercial success.

The EP received positive reviews, mostly for its lyrical content and production. Due to positive feedback from critics and fans and the band's popularity at the time, the EP became a surprise success in the UK and US, being certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in the latter.

The EP debuted and peaked at #2 on the UK Albums Chart, exceeding expectations for its commercial performance. To date, the EP has sold over 511,000 copies in the UK and has been certified Gold by the Urapopstar Recording Association Phonographic Society (URAPS).

After its surprise commercial success, the band announced the EP would be re-issued. On November 17, 2014, the EP will be re-issued as Remedial with two new songs (on its "standard edition") and a new cover.

Background
All of the songs on the EP were written by Gregory Preston Olivier, Phillip Mandelbaum, and Wyatt van Cleef and produced by Dana Breckenridge.

The songs on the EP were meant for the band's scrapped third album Juniors and Seniors At The Chess Club. Juniors and Seniors at the Chess Club was initially meant to be released on July 7, 2014 but was cancelled at the last minute by the band who decided to delete most of the songs on the album because the album itself was "driving [them] crazy".

Outraged by their decision, the band's label, Blacklight Records, forced the band to salvage some of the songs and release an EP.

The EP was announced on July 14, 2014, one week before its release.

Writing and composition
The songs on the EP deal with a variety of topics and sonically, explore different types of genres though it generally as an alternative/indie pop sound.

"Keep Moving On With Our Own Lives" is an indie pop song that has tribal beats and is about longing to be close to someone but sadly are not and learning to accept that. "Bombings" touches on the subject of people with borderline personality disorder; it is considered a "companion piece" of sorts to the band's hit "Like A Narcissist" which talks about people with narcissistic personality disorder. "Marigold Mornings" is an indietronica/EDM-inspired song and is a love song. "Idyllic" is a love song that compares the protagonist feelings about his lover to the Spring or summer. Throughout the song, all of the band members sing together.

"Industry Pop" is a minimalist indie pop song that talks about an ordinary guy with limited musical talents that becomes a major pop sensation. "Why Can't I Be Your Husband?" is a 1980's inspired song that samples "What Have I Done To Deserve This?" by the Pet Shop Boys and Dusty Springfield; it talks about a guy having an affair with a married women and him wanting her to himself. "British", a song that the band recorded and released as a promotional single in 2012, is a song that addresses the overt fondness of British culture; the structure of the song was inspired by "Models" by Girls Aloud. "I Wish A Bitch Would" is a dance song that addresses someone being infatuated with a stranger at a club and him eventually getting the courage to speak that stranger.

"Who Do You Love?" appears as a bonus track on the Spotify streaming edition of the album. The song was originally done by Whitney Houston.

Release
The album was released on June 21, 2014, only one week after it was announced. The band emphasized the digital formats of the album, highly promoting its release on digital retailers (such as iTunes and Google Play) and streaming services (such as Spotify and Rdio). Limited physical copies of the album were also shipped; only 50,000 copies of the EP were ever printed and sent to stores by Blacklight Records.

Critical reaction
Flunking Out received positive reviews for its lyrical content and production, but was criticized for its cover art and low and rushed promotion.

"Industry Pop" and "Why Can't I Be Your Husband?" have been singled out as the standout tracks and received more positive feedback on the EP.

Commercial performance
Flunking Out debuted and peaked at #2 on the UK Albums Chart, selling 84,076 copies in its first week, exceeding expectations. To date, the EP has sold 534,923 copies and has been certified Gold by the Urapopstar Recording Association Phonographic Society (URAPS).

Flunking Out debuted at #5 and then peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 in the United States. has sold over 400,000 copies in the US.

Remedial re-release
After the EP went Gold in the UK, the band quickly announced that they would be re-issuing the EP under a new title and with new cover art.

On November 17, 2014, Flunking Out will be re-released as Remedial.

Tracklisting

 * All songs written and composed by Gregory Preston Olivier, Phillip Mandelbaum, and Wyatt van Cleef. All songs produced by Dana Breckenridge.


 * 1) "Keep Moving On With Our Own Lives"
 * 2) "Bombings"
 * 3) "Marigold Mornings"
 * 4) "Idyllic"
 * 5) "Industry Pop"
 * 6) "Why Can't I Be Your Husband?"
 * 7) "British"
 * 8) "I Wish A Bitch Would"
 * 9) "Who Do You Love?" (Whitney Houston cover (Spotify bonus track)