The Sundays

Reading, Writing and Arithmetic

Pretty sure this album alone put Harriet Wheeler in my "favourite vocalists to ever touch a mic" list.

Yeah man I don't know, this album is just an absolute delight to hear front to back, and I'll be blown away if I can find an album more warm, soothing and utterly infectious as this one this year. I'm simply too obsessed with this to not give it a 10.

This could be one of the most relaxing records I've ever heard. Take The Smiths and make them more simple, The Sundays may not have the same touch as them, but this record has a couple of very Smiths-sounding tracks like "Here's Where The Story Ends" or "I Kicked A Boy" which are personally among the best tracks of this album. The sound is lush, melodic, very dreamy and very relaxing.

The first half is good but the second half steps up the game with better tracks overall. ... read more

Screw you guys! This shit slaps!!!

listened to this while in the apple store, getting my phone fixed in January
insane vibe

The smiths for not as manipulating male manipulators

i’m illiterate

(Thank you @fisfis for this recommendation)

No Oxford comma in title? -5

The dreamy production with elegant instrumental texture is just exceptional. The vocal performance is so soothing, it makes you feel like your auditory system is being caressed and cared for. Harriet Wheeler's voice is so adorably warm, adding on to how delightful this is to listen to.

Sometimes I did find the vocals to be a bit monotonous though, kinda hoping there would be some more variation in the energy, but those ... read more

Birthday review #24

I woke up this morning and the RYM homepage already had my work cut out for me. Recently it started featuring reviews for 90's albums having anniversaries, and I was pleasantly surprised to find this album cover waiting there for me today. I've actually been wanting to cover this record for a while and was even considering doing so just a few short weeks ago, so now's the perfect opportunity to get around to it.

"Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic" is ranked as the ... read more

Shout out to bands trynna sound like The Smiths fr, gotta be one of my favorite genders

The Sundays may not quite be one album wonders, but their 1990 debut “Reading, Writing & Arithmetic” represents what turned out to be their one true moment in the spotlight. Still, it was one hell of a moment, where joint critical and commercial success made them overnight sensations whose impact is still felt to this day — and rightfully so. The album is all killer and no filler, packed with perfect, unforgettable pop melodies and an undeniable presence in the form of ... read more

[ALBUM REQUEST from Tedinbed]

I have no clue why it took me so long to listen to this thing as I know that I love literally every genre that this is labelled under! As a Smiths and Cocteau Twins fan I got even more excited when I heard that The Sundays are like a mix of the both, taking the best aspects from each group and creating something unique and they did just this with "Reading, Writing and Arithmetic" which is just as jangly and rhythmic as it is dreamy and laidback. I have ... read more

She's not an Elizabeth Fraser, but she's an incredible vocalist good gravy
Hopefully I come back to this again and it grows on me more. That will more then definitely raise or lower this score

Saw someone say that this is better than anything The Smiths ever put out, and I actually laughed a little, like "Pssshhh, there's no way that's true"

I ain't laughing now

Standouts: Here's Where the Story Ends, Hideous Towns, You're Not the Only One I Know, A Certain Someone, My Finest Hour
Least Fav: Skin & Bones

6/10

solid

Fav tracks: Skin and Bones, Here's Where The Story Ends, A Certain Someone

Her voice is sooo infectious!!! "I Won" in particular slaps

YOOOOOOO
A classic dream pop album that dropped long before the age of Beach House and M83.

great jangle pop. very lovely vocals, i feel as this influenced one of my favorite bands, Everyone Asked About You. favorite song is probably “A Certain Someone".

the smiths meets cocteau twins

I put this on most Sundays and by the time I get to "I Kicked a Boy" everything is better.

Until today, I think this work has had a great influence on artists who have both transparency and positivity that only women can express.

‘Here’s Where the Story Ends’ is a song I just can’t abide, surely one of the most irritating choruses ever - the chipper way THAT baby voice sings ‘souvenir’ is perfectly awful.

The rest of the album is so uneventful you’re left crying out for some irritation. The dreadful lyrics and baby boo vocals continue and provide the listener with a continued source of grim mirth but that’s about it.

The jangle backing is so indistinct it’s almost ... read more

1. Skin And Bones — 84
2. Here's Where the Story Ends — 100
3. Can't Be Sure — 88
4. I Won — 86
5. Hideous Towns — 85
6. You're Not The Only One I Know — 90
7. A Certain Someone — 86
8. I Kicked A Boy — 84
9. My Finest House — 85
10. Joy — 85

the smiths for people that enjoy their lives

The Sundays is the start of a new revelation of music for the 90's with one of the earliest Dream Pop albums being made. I would say at times I am a fan, but I am not head over heels for the project by any means. It has bops and entertaining songs but can feel a bit lacking at times for all it's made out to be. I still think anyone interested in the roots of Dream Pop should totally check this out, but be prepared to be a bit underwhelmed for the amount of praise this gets.