| PRODUCT DETAILS | | Reading, Writing and Arithmetic |  | |
Reading, Writing and Arithmetic
Like the album's title, this music is about the basics. This seminal release from 1990 rerouted pop music for several years, and for the better. This simple guitar/bass/drum/vocal affair cut like a searchlight through the fog of tortuously overproduced music of the time, as The Sundays proved that more is often merely more. Harriet Wheeler's lilting, swooningly sweet voice is clearly the strong driving factor behind this debut's appeal, fore-grounded through spare arrangements and an almost timid rhythm section, though the timbre of Wheeler's voice is perfectly matched to David Gavurin's terrific 12-string guitar. Taken as a whole, the album bears repeated listening, even though some of the songs tend to blur together. The hit single "Here's Where the Story Ends" is rivaled by, if not equal to, "You're Not the Only One I Know," "I Kicked a Boy," and "Joy." --Alan E. Rapp
Manufacturer: Geffen Records
Price Range: $3.98 - $9.98
 Reading, Writing and Arithmetic
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| User Reviews |  | Sundays' Best
rating: 5
Sometime in the midst of the little new wave renaissance that was the early 90s , I heard one radio DJ say to another "I just got back from London where they are worshipping Harriett Wheeler like a Gaaaaawwwwwwd." Indeed. I have always loved "Here's Where the Story Ends" but I never treated myself to any of the Sundays' CDs until recently. Now I am thoroughly convinced that this CD is one of those rare recordings such asAbbey Roadand Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, in which there are no bad cuts.
The lyrics are fashionably zippy ("hideous towns make me throw up", "it's good to have something to live for you'll find...live for a job and a perfect behind") and at times quite self-reflective("I won the war in the sitting room, I won the war and it cost me, I won the war and I feel proud...but I don't know why it's hard to go to sleep in my house" and of course the whole of "Here's Where the Story Ends" which I still can't figure out ....is it a suicide note or a Dear John letter? You decide.) Wheeler's voice is incredibly lovely. And the music is always eerily beautiful with chords that evoke the Beatles on a day off jamming with Sixpence None the Richer, who actually list the Sundays as an influence, or with the Gin Blossoms. The combination of teen detention center lyrics and bright melodies also predate Death Cab for Cutie....who said misery need be morose, even in the 20th century?
Reading, Writing and Arithmetic is really the Sundays' best recording. Blind, their sophomore effort, trots out what seems to be outtakes from RWA. Their mid-90's CD, Static & Silence, contains at least one hit("Summertime"), and ventures into new territory...but it's Dylan-at-Newport territory, with more production and electronic instrumentation competing with Ms. Wheeler's whispy vocal chords, no doubt frightening some of the fans who delighted in the pared-down sound presented here. As far as I know, we've heard naught from them since.
This CD stands out as one of the few in which every song is pure pop pleasure. Besides....Reading, Writing and Arithmetic is the basics; you need to have the basics.
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Condensed early 20'ness from long ago
rating: 5
Um, old guy here, young when Reading, Writing came out. Getting old now. Love it as much or more.
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Simply one of my favorite albums
rating: 5
This is great album. Most people may recognize their cover of the Rolling Stones song Wild Horses from a later or possibly Here's Where the Story Ends from this album.
I have never gotten tired of listening to it and only wish there was another album on the horizon for this group.
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Sundays,7 days a week
rating: 5
The Sundays are unique, much like Pink Floyd is unique. You won't hear a Floyd song and thing hey was that Britney Spears? And you won't mistake the Sundays for anyone else, Harriet Wheeler's voice is quite distinctive as is the guitar work, the jangly bright magic guitar work, and that voice like silk weaving between and over the guitar.
If your not one for words and don't care for vocals, you might as well stop reading now. On the other hand, if you've by some chance not heard or don't own the Sundays, now is a perfect buying opportunity. The songs don't wear thin, they are well produced and become more complex yet calmer as they move from 1st album to last. There are only 3 albums to be had and a smattering of b sides, singles and bootlegs, but this is a beautiful, wonderful catalog, and many in this world would argue we'd be much poorer if it hadn't of happened at all.
The Sundays, will bring joy to your soul and a lilt to your step, may make your car get better gas mileage and make you more appealing to the opposite sex. They definetly will make your ears feel better and your brain as well. Get some today.......
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The "Story" ends here...
rating: 5
Every song is beautiful..every one. You know the greatness of an album when you read these reviews and you see so many differing opinions as to what are the best songs. There really is no answer, just listen for yourself and make up your own mind. My favorites are "My Finest Hour" and "Hideous Towns", but you'll think differently. When I was 18, I had a crush on Harriet Wheeler just from listening to her voice. Honestly, I think I still do 17 years later. Enjoy!
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Reading, Writing and Arithmetic
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