Not to be confused with The three Rs.
Reading, Writing and Arithmetic
Album
Artistthe Sundays
CoverSundays-readingwritingarithmetic.jpg
Released15 January 1990
Recorded1989–1990
GenreDream pop · indie pop
Length38:34
LabelRough Trade, DGC
ProducerThe Sundays, Ray Shulman
Next year1992

Reading, Writing and Arithmetic is the debut studio album by English alternative rock band the Sundays. It was released in 1990 on Rough Trade Records in the United Kingdom, and on DGC Records in the United States. The album's title is a reference to the band's hometown, Reading, Berkshire.[1]

Critical reception

The Toronto Star compared lead vocalist Harriet Wheeler to Edie Brickell, noting that "the two bring the same trippy sense of coquettish, off-the-cuff muse to a foundation of quirky, guitar-based arrangements."[2] The Los Angeles Times wrote that the album "carries just enough mystery and grace to recall the early promise of 10,000 Maniacs".[3]

The album has appeared on many best album lists. Pitchfork ranked it 15th on its list of "The 30 Best Dream Pop Albums".[4] The website also listed the record as one of "The 25 Best Indie Pop Albums of the '90s", commenting, "Even if the Sundays hadn't named their debut Reading, Writing and Arithmetic, its bookish nature would've been apparent. Harriet Wheeler sings like she's trying to get the librarian's attention without disturbing others, and guitarist David Gavurin strums with a studied focus."[5] Ira Robbins of Rolling Stone called it "a collection of uncommonly good songs graced by Harriet Wheeler's wondrous singing", finding that "Wheeler brings an exceptionally expressive voice to bear on the rich melodies and homely lyrics that offer offbeat thoughts about life, love and the English climate."[6] In 2024, Uncut ranked Reading, Writing and Arithmetic at No. 134 on its list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of the 1990s".[7]

Personnel

  • Harriet Wheeler – vocals
  • David Gavurin – guitar
  • Paul Brindley – bass
  • Patrick Hannan – drums
  • Lindsay Jamieson – tambourine

Charts

Chart performance for Reading, Writing and Arithmetic
Chart (1990)Peak
position
US Billboard 200[8]39

References

  1. ^ "'Sundays' Will Add Hot Stuff to Cool Repertoire". Deseret News. 3 September 1990. Retrieved 12 December 2011. employs a pun involving the band's hometown (actually pronounced RED-ing not REED-ing)
  2. ^ Potter, Mitch (20 Apr 1990). "The Sundays Reading, Writing and Arithmetic". Toronto Star. p. D16.
  3. ^ Hilburn, Robert (1 July 1990). "Drum Roll, Please: The Mid-Year Top 10". Los Angeles Times. p. 63.
  4. ^ "The 30 Best Dream Pop Albums". Pitchfork. 16 April 2018. p. 2. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  5. ^ "The 25 Best Indie Pop Albums of the '90s". Pitchfork. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  6. ^ Robbins, Ira (14 June 1990). "The Sundays: Reading, Writing And Arithmetic". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 17 December 2007. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
  7. ^ "The 500 Greatest Albums of the 1990s". Uncut: The Archive Collection. No. 7. 2024. p. 47.
  8. ^ "The Sundays > Chart History > Billboard 200". Billboard. Archived from the original on 30 August 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2022.