# Reading, Writing and Arithmetic

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Not to be confused with [The three Rs](/source/The_three_Rs).

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

## Critical reception

The *[Toronto Star](/source/Toronto_Star)* compared lead vocalist Harriet Wheeler to [Edie Brickell](/source/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](/source/Los_Angeles_Times)* wrote that the album "carries just enough mystery and grace to recall the early promise of [10,000 Maniacs](/source/10,000_Maniacs)".[3]

The album has appeared on [many best album lists](/source/List_of_1990s_albums_considered_the_best). *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))* ranked it 15th on its list of "The 30 Best [Dream Pop](/source/Dream_pop) Albums".[4] The website also listed the record as one of "The 25 Best [Indie Pop](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Uncut_(magazine))* 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"](http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=NewsLibrary&p_multi=DSNB&d_place=DSNB&p_theme=newslibrary2&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F35FCC58722DDE4&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM). *[Deseret News](/source/Deseret_News)*. 3 September 1990. Retrieved 12 December 2011. employs a pun involving the band's hometown (actually pronounced RED-ing not REED-ing)

1. Potter, Mitch (20 Apr 1990). "The Sundays Reading, Writing and Arithmetic". *Toronto Star*. p. D16.

1. Hilburn, Robert (1 July 1990). "Drum Roll, Please: The Mid-Year Top 10". *Los Angeles Times*. p. 63.

1. ["The 30 Best Dream Pop Albums"](https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-30-best-dream-pop-albums/?page=2). *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))*. 16 April 2018. p. 2. Retrieved 18 November 2022.

1. ["The 25 Best Indie Pop Albums of the '90s"](https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-best-indie-pop-albums-of-the-90s/). *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))*. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.

1. Robbins, Ira (14 June 1990). ["The Sundays: Reading, Writing And Arithmetic"](https://web.archive.org/web/20071217034422/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/thesundays/albums/album/227636/review/5940330/reading_writing_and_arithmetic). *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/thesundays/albums/album/227636/review/5940330/reading_writing_and_arithmetic) on 17 December 2007. Retrieved 24 August 2013.

1. "The 500 Greatest Albums of the 1990s". *Uncut: The Archive Collection*. No. 7. 2024. p. 47.

1. ["The Sundays > Chart History > Billboard 200"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180830115916/https://www.billboard.com/music/the-sundays/chart-history/billboard-200). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Archived from [the original](https://www.billboard.com/music/the-sundays/chart-history/billboard-200) on 30 August 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2022.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Reading, Writing and Arithmetic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading%2C_Writing_and_Arithmetic) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading%2C_Writing_and_Arithmetic?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.