Music review of the self-titled album of the Math and Physics Club
Math and Physics Club is an indie pop (or indie rock) band based in Seattle, Washington. They are Charles Bert (Vocal / Rhythm Guitar), Kevin Emerson (Drums), Ethan Jones (Bass / Keyboards), James Werle (Lead Guitar) and Saundrah Humphrey (Violin). They formed in 2004 and have released three EPs and one full album through Santa Barbara-based Matinee Recordings. His genre also includes twee, and according to PitchforkMedia, his music was described as “music to hold hands”. Suitable for most loving couples!
The Math and Physics Club is a lot of fun to listen to. You could listen to Charles’s voice all day and enjoy music at the same time. I have no complaints about his voice (and the rest of the Math and Physics Club) and the simplicity of his music, and yet the impressive songs and lyrics have left a vivid mark on my mind.
The album opens with “Darling, Please Come Home” which is such a contagious track that I think it is one of the best tracks on the album. The guitar on this track keeps repeating itself with a tempo and rhythm that is very pleasing to our ears and I can’t help but make fun of playing a guitar every time I hear this song. When Charles sings, “Darling 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, “Honey, could you please come home?”
“I know what I want” is perfect when you are proposing! The music of this song is so relaxing and take note of the lyrics of this song, “How did you know me so well? You smile but you will never say it … It’s you … I know what I want …” Charles’s beautiful voice, which is an added bonus for this song! Sing effortlessly as the rest of the Math and Physics Club team up with your guitar, bass, drums, and even violin. It’s a short song, but it’s definitely worth listening to.
Stop complaining about dates that end in rain and watch “April Showers.” Somehow, I can feel that Charles is singing about a date from him. Singing about how wonderful rain can be (you can replace “Rain” with “Shower”) if you were with someone you love. Charles says: “There is nowhere I would rather be, than with you by my side, huddled under my umbrella, even though the rain keeps falling …” You can hear a lot of guitars playing on “April Showers” and it’s like the Club from Physics and Mathematics I was playing in a cave every time I hear the sound / guitar plucking part. Ba, ba, ba, ba, ba … April rains … Although I prefer the rains of October, my month of birth!
“Holidays and Saturdays” is a slow-paced song and shows the versatility of the Math and Physic Club. They are already very good at medium and fast tempo songs, “Holidays and Saturdays” is just another song to show that they can even perform slow tempo songs. Picnic in the park, croquet on the lawn, staying up and chatting until dawn … These are the things we do on the weekends, right? A good way to slow down the tempo of the album.
“La La La Lisa” gets back on track! It has a few starts and stops in between, but it’s still a good song nonetheless. I wonder who Lisa is (a girl he met / saw at a club?), Charles sings about her like he’s so in love with her, dying to hold her hands, dying to kiss her, dying to be with her. He says, “I would have died for just one kiss, I had a chance to hold my hand …” It’s so smart of the Math and Physics Club to write such clever lyrics. When Charles sings, “La La La La La La …” There must have been a lot between him and Lisa.
“Look At Us Now” begins with acoustic guitar and violin. Charming! Good opening for you to ask me for more. “We were in love, but look at us now, ba ba ba ba ba …” It’s like they were so in love, until now. “Look at us now …” added Charles. Then there is the guitar solo followed by the violin solo, what a play on such a short song!
“I’ll Miss Me” is another slow tempo song on the album. It’s one of my favorite songs on the album. I love the guitar, bass, piano, violin, and even the vocals in this song. It found its way into my heart even at the first listen. Charles says, “I should never have left this carry-on for so long, but I dare say you’ll miss me …” and then he says again, “La da da da da la da da …” I must say! that is so good! 😀 Every time the chorus ends, the piano comes in at exactly the right moment. Really impressive!
“Cold as Minnesota” has a very tasty and wonderful bass line. The bass line itself is this song’s best asset. Accompanied by clapping after the break, it is one of the most danceable songs on the album. This song is like Charles is getting mad at someone, “Get out in the cold, I don’t want you here tomorrow when I wake up”, but the Math and Physics Club turned it into a wonderful track that is so delicious to our ears. . I can not say no!
From the lyrics of “Such a Simple Plan”, it sounds like a sad song. But again, the Math and Physics Club turned it into a nice, danceable track. Charles sings about a girl who is having a failed relationship: “Summer turned into June, spent morning, night and noon in a tiny room, writing to another sad romantic …” It ends with “She cries and read to herself until she falls asleep. instead of “. Such a simple plan but with deep meaning!
The Math and Physics Club ends with “Last Dance,” a happy, poppy song that you want to play and dance to. The two guitars were well arranged and in sync. 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 us and hit the floor before the last dance … So that you will fall in love with me” Next time you have a party, please dance with your partnet and remember the lyrics of “Last Dance”. You will have the best last dance of all!
Rating: I imagine singing a couple of songs from the album. The “Physics and Mathematics Club” is really created for a couple. All his songs and lyrics are meant to be heard and enjoyed by couples and lovers! If you ever have the opportunity to sing to your loved ones in front of a large crowd, you will know which album to look for! Simple but heartbreaking, I can’t help but give it 7.8 out of 10.
Featured Topics (My Picks): Honey Please Come Home, I Know What I Want, You Will Miss Me, Last Dance and Cold as Minnesota.