Reading, Writing and Arithmetic

{{Music ratings

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/reading-writing-and-arithmetic-mw0000654789|title=Reading, Writing and Arithmetic – The Sundays|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=27 January 2016|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine}}

| rev2 = Chicago Sun-Times

| rev2score = {{Rating|4|4}}{{cite news|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3997943.html|title=Sundays take elementary approach to perfection|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=11 May 1990|access-date=27 January 2016|last=McLeese|first=Don|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118214053/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3997943.html|archive-date=18 November 2018|url-status=dead}}

| rev3 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev3score = A−{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/1990/04/20/reading-writing-and-arithmetic/|title=Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=20 April 1990|access-date=12 December 2011|last=Sandow|first=Greg|author-link=Greg Sandow}}

| rev4 = NME

| rev4score = 8/10{{cite magazine|title=Teachers' Pets|magazine=NME|date=13 January 1990|last=Williams|first=Simon|page=25}}

| rev5 = Q

| rev5score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine|title=The Sundays: Reading, Writing and Arithmetic|magazine=Q|issue=119|date=August 1996|last=Barnett|first=Simon|page=141}}

| rev6 = Record Mirror

| rev6score = {{Fraction|4|1|2}}/5{{cite magazine|title=The Sundays: Reading, Writing and Arithmetic|magazine=Record Mirror|date=13 January 1990|last=Southwell|first=Tim|author-link=Tim Southwell|page=16}}

| rev7 = Rolling Stone

| rev7score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/thesundays/albums/album/227636/review/5940330/reading_writing_and_arithmetic|title=The Sundays: Reading, Writing And Arithmetic|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=14 June 1990|access-date=24 August 2013|last=Robbins|first=Ira|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217034422/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/thesundays/albums/album/227636/review/5940330/reading_writing_and_arithmetic|archive-date=17 December 2007|url-status=dead}}

| rev8 = Spin Alternative Record Guide

| rev8score = 8/10{{cite book|chapter=Cranberries|last=Hannaham|first=James|author-link=James Hannaham|title=Spin Alternative Record Guide|title-link=Spin Alternative Record Guide|editor1-last=Weisbard|editor1-first=Eric|editor1-link=Eric Weisbard|editor2-last=Marks|editor2-first=Craig|publisher=Vintage Books|year=1995|isbn=0-679-75574-8|pages=96–97}}

| rev9 = The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music

| rev9score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite book |last1=Larkin |first1=Colin |title=The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music |date=2000 |publisher=Virgin Books |page=381}}

}}

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."{{cite news |last1=Potter |first1=Mitch |title=The Sundays Reading, Writing and Arithmetic |work=Toronto Star |date=20 Apr 1990 |page=D16}} The Los Angeles Times determined that the album "carries just enough mystery and grace to recall the early promise of 10,000 Maniacs".{{cite news |last1=Hilburn |first1=Robert |title=Drum Roll, Please: The Mid-Year Top 10 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=1 July 1990 |department=Calendar |page=63}}

The album has appeared on many best album lists, Pitchfork ranked Reading, Writing and Arithmetic at number 15 on its list of "The 30 Best Dream Pop Albums".{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-30-best-dream-pop-albums/?page=2|title=The 30 Best Dream Pop Albums|website=Pitchfork|date=16 April 2018|access-date=18 November 2022|page=2}} 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."{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-best-indie-pop-albums-of-the-90s/|title=The 25 Best Indie Pop Albums of the '90s|website=Pitchfork|date=27 October 2022|access-date=3 November 2022}} 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." In 2024, Uncut ranked Reading, Writing and Arithmetic at No. 134 on its list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of the 1990s".{{cite magazine |title=The 500 Greatest Albums of the 1990s |magazine=Uncut: The Archive Collection |date=2024 |issue=7 |page=47}}

{{Track listing

| all_writing = David Gavurin and Harriet Wheeler.

| title1 = Skin & Bones

| length1 = 4:16

| title2 = Here's Where the Story Ends

| length2 = 3:54

| title3 = Can't Be Sure

| length3 = 3:22

| title4 = I Won

| length4 = 4:23

| title5 = Hideous Towns

| length5 = 3:46

| title6 = You're Not the Only One I Know

| length6 = 3:50

| title7 = A Certain Someone

| length7 = 4:25

| title8 = I Kicked a Boy

| length8 = 2:16

| title9 = My Finest Hour

| length9 = 3:59

| title10 = Joy

| length10 = 4:10

| total_length = 38:23

}}

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

{{Reflist}}

• {{Discogs master|12335}}

{{The Sundays}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:The Sundays albums

Category:1990 debut albums

Category:Rough Trade Records albums

Category:DGC Records albums

Category:Albums produced by Ray Shulman