The Sundays – Album (2015)

The Sundays – Album (2015)

I feel like I’m watching an April Fool’s prank or a hidden camera show!
I’ve just stumbled across this… album?

Wait a minute!!! The Sundays apparently released a new album over ten years ago and I’m only finding out about it now?? Why does this all seem so absurd to me? Especially as I can’t find any information about it. Not only that, but the album was called ‘Album’… which (depending on your sense of humour) would seem either ridiculous or a brilliant, surprising and unexpected prank!

I can’t find anything on Wikipedia, Spotify, or on websites that still sell records. It’s worth noting that on the French-language Wikipedia, the core quartet is listed. So we’re talking about singer Harriet Wheeler, guitarist David Gavurin, bassist Paul Brindley and, finally, drummer Patrick (Patch) Hannan. But there’s no mention whatsoever of Lindsay Jamieson, who played the tambourine from 1990 to 1992. I sense a certain disdain for this instrument! ;-P I remember that when I used to go to jam sessions and play the bass, I’d get the audience’s admiration. On the other hand, when I only played the tambourine, nobody ever took me seriously!!!

Anyway, it was on SoundCloud that I found these eight tracks that make up ‘Album’, which runs for a good half an hour in total. The album’s release date? 1 January 2015.

Basically, I’m a massive fan of the Darling Buds, who were part of the short-lived ‘Blonde’ movement. Mind you, that name really needs changing! It referred to indie pop-rock bands fronted by a blonde singer, with all the other members being men with dark hair, such as The Primitives and Transvision Vamp. I love The Primitives too. Transvision Vamp, far less so, but I’ve developed a certain respect for them over time. Musically, they’re the ones who appeal to me the least out of the three. On the other hand, I always tend to include The Sundays in this list. ‘But the singer has dark hair!’ some might say, but I couldn’t care less. It’s the music that counts, not the hairstyles!

I can prove that there are more links between these bands than people realise. The Primitives became even more successful after Morrissey started wearing the band’s T-shirts. But the press has also often drawn parallels with Johnny Marr of The Smiths when discussing David Gavurin’s guitar playing. As for Harriet Wheeler’s vocals, they’ve been compared to those of Cocteau Twins singer Elizabeth Fraser. The band also acknowledge the influence of artists such as the brilliant Joni Mitchell.

The Sundays and the Cocteau Twins have always been better than bands like Altered Images… although the John Peel Sessions always showcased the bands and brought out the best in them.

The other bands named after days of the week just can’t compete with the quality and creativity of The Sundays! Whether it’s the Norwegian band The Tuesdays, the S Club 8-style girl band S Club Juniors, the British group The Saturdays, or even the American alternative rock band The Wednesdays. I even prefer them to the post-punk alternative dance band The Happy Mondays.

Right! I think you’ve got the picture – I absolutely adore this band!!!

When I pressed Play, after finding the playlist, I was sceptical. Would it sound the same? Had they gone soft? Are they still as good as ever, or have they become run-of-the-mill? Will I regret their comeback?? Will I be disappointed? But there was also the possibility that it wasn’t the right band! After all, sometimes new bands pop up with the same name as an old band that has, sadly, been forgotten or disparaged enough for it to fly!

With the suspense at its peak, I listened to the first few notes of the opening intro. It sounded good. All that was left was to wait for the vocals…
But yes! It really is Harriet’s voice!!!
Yippeeeeeeeeeee!
The sound is just as good as ever, I can confirm. And these new songs… wow! Brilliant!

Let’s not forget that The Sundays had already released three extraordinary albums: Reading, Writing and Arithmetic (Rough Trade) in 1990, Blind (Parlophone) in 1992 and Static and Silence (Parlophone) in 1997.

This one, in my humble opinion, is just as good! A real treat for the ears and a balm for the soul. It makes you feel on cloud nine, lets you dream and is incredibly relaxing.

The band’s two best-known hits were “Here’s Where the Story Ends” and “Summertime”. “You’re Not The Only One” remains one of the most frequently played and sung songs in karaoke to this day. And it’s worth noting that they probably did the best cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses”.

The Sundays are a great band who are still far too little known and undoubtedly underrated.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟