Math and Physics Club are an indie pop (Or Indie Rock) band based in Seattle, Washington. They are Charles Bert (Vocals/Rhythm Guitar), Kevin Emerson (Drums), Ethan Jones (Bass/Keyboards), James Werle (Lead Guitar), and Saundrah Humphrey (Violin). They were formed in 2004, and have released three EPs and one full length album through Santa Barbara-based Matinee Recordings. Their genre also includes twee, and according to PitchforkMedia, their music were described as “music to hold hands to.” Suitable for most lovey dovey couple!
Math and Physics Club is so fun to listen to. You could listen to the voice of Charles all day and enjoy the music at the same time. No complaints about his voice (and the rest of Math and Physics Club) and the simplicity of their music, and yet impressive songs and lyrics has left a vivid mark on my mind.
The album opens with “Darling, Please Come Home” which is such an infectious track that I think it’s one of the best tracks on the album. The guitar of this track keeps repeating in a tempo and pace that is so friendly to our ears and I can’t help it but mocking to play a guitar whenever I listen to this song. When Charles sings, “Darling won’t you please come home…” I knew they had me, they had me thinking about this song all the time. Amazing and lovely opener! I keep imagining myself saying, “Darling, won’t you please come home…”
“I Know What I Want” is perfect when you are proposing! The music playing of this song is just so soothing and take note of the lyrics of this song, “How did you know me so well? You smile but you won’t ever tell… It’s you… I know what I want..” You can hear Charles’ lovely voice which is a bonus to this song! He sings so effortlessly while the rest of Math and Physics Club join in with their guitar, bass, drums and even violin. It’s a short song but it definitely worth your time for listening to it.
Stop complaining about the dates that end up in rain and check out “April Showers”. Somehow, I can feel that Charles is singing about a date of his. Singing about how wonderful rain can be (you can replace “Rain” with “Shower” ) if you were with someone that you love. Charles goes, “There’s no place I’d rather be, than with you right next to me, huddled up under my umbrella, though the rain keeps falling down…” You can hear lots of guitar plucking in “April Showers” and it’s like Math and Physics Club are playing in a cave whenever I heard the guitar plucking sound/part. Ba, ba, ba, ba, ba… April Showers… Though I prefer October Showers, my birth month!
“Holidays and Saturdays” is a slow-paced song and it shows Math and Physic Club’s versatility. They’re already very good with mid and fast-tempo songs,”Holidays and Saturdays” is just another song to show that they can even perform slow-tempo song. Picnic in the park, croquet on the lawn, staying up and talking until dawn… These are the things that we do on weekends, aren’t we? A nice way to slow down the tempo of the album.
“La La La Lisa” brings the tempo back! It has a few starts and stops in between but nevertheless, it still makes a good song. I wonder who is Lisa (a girl he met/saw in a club?), Charles sings about her as if he’s so much in love with her, dying to hold her hands, dying to kiss her, dying to be with her. It goes, “I would have died for just one kiss, I had the chance just to hold hands…” It’s just so smart of Math and Physics Club to write such witty lyrics. When Charles sings, “La La La La La La…” There must have been many things going on between Lisa and him.
“Look At Us Now” starts off with acoustic guitar and violin. Lovely! Nice opening to get me wondering for more. “We were in love, but look at us now, ba ba ba ba ba…” It is as if they were so much in love, until now. “Look at us now…,” Charles added. Then there are guitar solo followed by violin solo, what a play in such a short song!
“You’ll Miss Me” is another slow tempo song on the album. It’s one of my favourite songs on the album. I just love the guitar, bass, piano, violin and even the vocals on this song. It found its way to my heart even at the first listen. Charles goes, “Never should have left this carry on for so long, but I dare say that you’ll miss me…” and then he goes again with, “La da da da da la da da….” I gotta say, it’s just so good! 😀 Each time after the chorus, the piano comes in exactly at the right time. Really impressive!
“Cold as Minnesota” has a very tasty and groovy bassline to it. The bassline itself is the best asset of this song. Accompanied by handclaps after the break, it’s one of the most dance-able songs on the album. This song is as if Charles were getting mad at someone, “Step outside in the cold, I don’t want you here tomorrow when I wake up”, but Math and Physics Club made it a groovy track that is so delicious to our ears. I can’t say no!
From the lyrics of “Such a Simple Plan”, it seems to be a sad song. But again, Math and Physics Club made it an enjoyable and dance-able track. Charles sings about a girl who’s having a failed relationship, “Summer turned into June, she spent morning night and noon in a tiny room, typing away to another sad romantic…” It ends with, “She cries and reads herself to sleep instead”. Such a simple plan but with a deep meaning!
Math and Physics Club ends with “Last Dance”, a poppy and cheerful song that you want to tap your feet and dance to. The two guitar-playing were well arranged and timed. One is the lead guitar, the other a rhythm guitar. “Why does it have to be sad? Now darling don’t be mad, let’s put the past behind, and hit the floor before the last dance… To make you fall for me” Next time when you’re having a party, please dance with your partnet and remember the lyrics from “Last Dance”. You’ll have the best last dance ever!
Rating: I can imagine myself singing a couple of songs take from the album. “Math and Physics Club” is really created for a couple. All their songs and lyrics are meant to be listened and enjoyed by couples and lovers! If you ever have a chance to sing to your loved ones in front of a big crowd, you’ll know which album to look for! Simple but heart-melting, I can’t help it but give it 7.8 out of 10.
Stand-Out Tracks (My Picks): Darling, Please Come Home, I Know What I Want, You’ll Miss Me, Last Dance and Cold as Minnesota.
