A Classic Debut Album from the Sundays

In the 1990s of the age of alternative rock, American bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and R.E.M dominated the majority of the alternative scene. On the other side of the Atlantic, a new breed of bands were coming out of the U.K. to forge a new musical scene that was against the bland 80s hair-metal scene that had dominated until the rise of alternative rock. In the U.K., new bands like My Bloody Valentine, Stone Roses, Blur, Primal Scream, Lush, and Oasis were leading a new British Invasion for the early 1990s. Another band from that era called the Sundays were also one of the leading bands from the U.K. that were not only one of the most beloved bands in that era but also one of the best to come out from the U.K.

Formed in Manchester, England in 1987, the Sundays consisted of singer Harriet Wheeler, then-husband and guitarist David Gavurin, bassist Paul Brindley, and drummer Patrick Hannan. When the Sundays arrived to the new and vital rock scene in the U.K., they brought in a new sound that combined the ethereal atmospheric grooves of the Cocteau Twins, Celtic wailings, and the Beatlesque guitar pop of their local Manchester heroes, the Smiths. In 1989, the band signed a deal with British label Rough Trade Records to release one of the most praised debut albums in British rock history “Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic”.

“Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic” is a grand masterpiece of ten songs filled with Smiths-like guitar melodies along with atmospheric production from the band and Ray Shulman but the real highpoint of this album is Harriet Wheeler’s angelic vocals which gave the Sundays its trademark sounds. The first song “Skin & Bones” is a slow, melodic tune that consists of lovely vocals from Wheeler along with the luscious Smiths-like guitar sound from Gavurin who both make reminders of the Morrissey-Johnny Marr duo of the Smiths without the tension. “Here’s Where The Story Ends” is a melancholic acoustic-pop tune that flows with wonderful vocal melodies from Wheeler and dream-like guitar sounds of Gavurin that makes this song of the greatest alternative rock tunes of the early 90s.

“Can’t Be Sure” is a wonderful bass-driven tune that highlights the solid rhythm section of bassist Paul Brindley and drummer Patrick Hannan both of whom help back Wheeler’s vocals in this lovely Smiths-pop tune. “I Won” is a simple, acoustic ethereal tune that is filled with dreamy guitar sounds mixed in with atmospheric backgrounds from the engineer team of Gail Lambourne and future Nine Inch Nails collaborator Alan Moulder. “Hideous Towns” is another highlight in this album that features Joy Division-like bass hooks, R.E.M.-like guitar jangles, and Wheeler’s soothing vocals. “You’re Not The Only One I Know” is a lovely ethereal pop tune filled with wonderful guitar melodies and the angelic vocals of Wheeler.

“A Certain Someone” is a fast-tempo pop song that features solid drumming from Patrick Hannan and wonderful bass hooks from Paul Brindley who both shine in this song. “I Kicked A Boy” is a lovely Celtic-like folk tune that features quiet acoustics and dream-like guitars backing Wheeler’s soft vocals which is also shown on the guitar dream-pop of “My Finest Hour” that features Wheeler delivering Celtic-like wailings in the coda of the song backed by Gavurin who puts in a Celtic-like folk guitar sound in the end. The album’s closer “Joy” is a slow, melodic tune that also shines from Wheeler’s vocals and Gavurin’s melodic guitar work.

“Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic” is a lovely masterpiece from the Sundays. The album would not only receive rave reviews from music critics but became a huge hit in England and the album would be released in American in 1990 to rave reviews. Though the Sundays’ latter albums would be more successful, they didn’t have the same touch as the first album did. “Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic” is a lovely album from one of alternative rock’s premier bands.