358) The Sundays - Reading, Writing and Arithmetic

Here we are in 1989 The Firm have taken Star Trekkin’ to number one and we were still to have the thrill of T’Pau China In Your Hand to come. The odd song like MARRS Pump Up The Volume would make Top of the Pops bearable, but the mainstream charts was not my thing.

Indie people like me were still missing The Smiths and we all loved Liz Fraser’s vocals and had been enthralled by a band called The Sugarcubes who had this singer called Bjork who has produced this magical single called Birthday, Bjork’s vocals elevating the song. It would be great if an indie band could come along with melodies and a unique female lead singer.

Back in these olden times John Peel’s festive fifty was always an important moment for obsessives like me (or saddos like me, you choose). Birthday won it in 1987, and The Smiths took the top spot a couple of times. In 1989 a new band won it. They had the melodies and that female singer with a unique voice. This band was The Sundays, and they were number one with Can’t Be Sure.

Over a shuffling beat and a simple repetitive riff, the band sit back and let lead singer Harriet Wheeler unleash her remarkable voice as its soars, dips and seduces us in three minutes. I remember hearing this on Peel and bought the follow up, Here’s Where the Story Ends on release. For this they lead us in on an acoustic guitar, a more immediate straightforward song and Harriet let’s herself go as the song builds. Both are classic songs.

Wheeler is the star but guitarist, and husband to be, David Gavurin co-writes all the songs and is an imaginative guitarist and Paul Brindley on bass and Patrick Hannan on drums are no slouches backing them.

Opener Skin and Bones sets the tone for the record melodic jangly guitar over a solid rhythm and Wheeler unleashed, she has a unique voice, like Fraser and Bjork she stands out, and like them knows how to use it to great effect, if you love the opener this record is for you.

However, if still not sure skip to A Certain Someone with solid opening drums before a scratchy guitar arrives and Harriet delivers a seductive vocal and then the band explode at one minute thirty and she steps away before enticing us back in, a real highlight.

If I have not convinced enough, try Hideous Towns next as the drums lead us in exactly as Stone Roses, She Bangs the Drum and then the band go what I can only describe as “mega jangly.”

Not yet there yet, see if her honeyed vocals on You’re Not the Only One I Know win you over and I Kicked a Boy is The Smiths with a female vocal. If you have stuck with me this long just listen to the whole bloody thing, it’s a joy.

They disappeared in 1997 and have never been heard of again but seemingly have continued to write, in these desperate times it would be wonderful to have them back, doubtful, but we can always hope.

9/10

GIVE IT A STREAM: Here’s Where the Story Ends