Math and Physics Club - I Shouldn't Look As Good As I Do
by Fiona Hutchings
published: 4 / 7 / 2010
Label:
Matinee Recordings
Format: CD
intro
Upbeat-sounding indie pop on enjoyable second album from Seattle-based band, Math and Physics Club
Seattle based trio Charles Bert (vocals, rhythm guitar), Ethan Jones (bass, keyboards, vocals) and James Werle (guitar) started as a basement hobby. Luckily for us they are becoming a little better known these days, although of course PennyBlack was well aware of them as far back as 2007. Previous comparisons to Belle and Sebastian in particular prove well founded from the very first bars of 'Jimmy Had a Polaroid'. The tracks are dare I say jaunty, the guitars are jangly and the spoken singing style underpowered and relaxed. Math and Physics club seem to have subverted that classic 60's pop sound. The lyrics tell everyday stories, mostly relationship based with a wry smile and wink. The Beatles asked if you would still love them at the grand old age of 64. Bert, Jones and Werle are more pragmatic - "When this ageing body starts to wilt/And my dirty laundry makes you ill/When we get our kicks from a small blue pill/Will you still love me?" It might be about ending relationships but the accompanying music is so upbeat you might be lulled into thinking its a bubblegum track. There are shades of both the Housemartins and the Wannadies in this two minute track and elsewhere on the album. But let's be clear this Club has a style of its own and are not just a mish mash of borrowed hooks and handclaps. All in all a mellow, clever and undemanding album perfect for cruising in the warm sunshine with the top down so the breeze can ruffle your hair.
Track Listing:-
1 Jimmy Had A Polaroid2 We Make A Pair
3 Trying To Say I Love You
4 Everybody Loves A Showtune
5 Love or Loneliness
6 Will You Still Love Me?
7 I'll Tell You Anything
8 The Internationale
9 I've Been That Boy
10 We're So DIY!
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/mathandphysicsclubhttp://www.mathandphysicsclub.com/
http://www.last.fm/music/Math+and+Physics+Club
Label Links:-
http://matineerecordings.com/https://www.facebook.com/matineerecordings
interviews |
Interview (2007) |
Seattle based indie pop band were the first American band to sign to Matinee Records in five years.Dixie Ernill chats to guitarist James about their recent self-titled debut CD and their 80's influences |
reviews |
In This Together: EPS, B-Sides, Rarities and Unreleased Songs 2005-2015 (2016) |
Fantastic vinyl compilation from Seattle-based indie pop band the Math and Physics Club, which will be appealing to those who are still mourning the demise of the Lucksmiths |
Our Hearts Beat Out Loud (2013) |
Baby, I'm Yours (2008) |
Maths and Physics Club (2006) |
Movie Ending Romance (2005) |
Weekends Away (2005) |
most viewed articles
current edition
The Church - Interview with Steve KilbeySimon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
Flaming Stars - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Inutili - A Love Supreme
Kula Shaker - Natural Magick
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart