Cardiacs

Molecules · 10-22-2009, 02:41 PM

Would be interested to see what MB's prog wizards think about this 30-year-old cult institution from my old hometown of Kingston Upon Thames.

Despite the fact that Tim Smith (the brains of the operation) has always vehemently rejected the 'progressive' label (he prefers simply 'pop' or 'psychedelic') it is a reasonable point to raise: there is a fondness for unusual chord progressions, chord modulation, and compressing the equivalent of a prog epic into 4 minutes or less... All with the energy of a '77 band. Cardiacs also opened for Marillion in the 80s, apparently Fish was heartbroken when the fans did not take to them...

It's very easy to stick labels on their sound but it is totally unique, the only comparisons I can come up with are the more anarchic, ambitious New Wavers like XTC and Split Enz, mixed with the avant-rock of Henry Cow etc.

There is little variation in the Cardiacs open-ended mentalist formula from what I have heard, and no, they NEVER slow down (well, no ballads at least). They are also ridiculously tight live.

I think this is as clear-cut a case of love 'em or hate 'em as you will ever encounter on this forum... Unacknowledged genius or bad acid trip in a fairground? Or are they just trying too hard? I don't think so personally, plus buried in the lyrical abstractions are some statements somewhere I am sure of it, which keeps me listening

Terrible Lizard · 10-22-2009, 03:10 PM

Haven't gone through much of their stuff. All I have is "The Whole World Window whatever", but I haven't really listened to it.

Guybrush · 10-26-2009, 09:49 AM

I've listened to their Sing to God album and I like it! They're certainly talented and one of the more unique bands I know of today. When I first heard them, I was extremely impressed.

I have to say, though, that sitting down and listening to them - it quickly becomes a bit much for me. The energy and the chaos, while good, takes it's toll on me and the whole Sing to God album (double by the way) is a bit much for me in one sitting. Actually, it's a lot too much.

A bit of Cardiacs now and then is awesome though

Molecules · 10-26-2009, 10:48 AM

haha I won't argue with that, they are too full-on to endure for long, that's what amazes me - how have they kept that pace up for 30 years? Mind you I have been lapping up extended Cardiacs sessions the last week... it's just been one of those weeks.

In fact Jim Smith, ironically, had a cardiac arrest/stroke in 2008, so the future of the band is uncertain but apparently he is recovering.

More 'daques: MUTANT SOUNDS: Search results for cardiacs

Sneer · 10-26-2009, 12:01 PM

molecules shut up Youre from kingston?!?! Its where i've lived most of mY life! Worcester Park to be exact. Mental. And i'll check out this band and get back to You

Guybrush · 10-26-2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Molecules

In fact Jim Smith, ironically, had a cardiac arrest/stroke in 2008, so the future of the band is uncertain but apparently he is recovering.

Yep, I saw some time ago that he had health problems. The man sure is a creative force and I hope he gets back on his feet!

Sneer · 10-26-2009, 12:08 PM

I love what ive heard in those clips, what's the best album to start with?

Guybrush · 10-26-2009, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu

I love what ive heard in those clips, what's the best album to start with?

Well, I can definetly recommend Sing to God from 1995 :

It's a double album vibrant with the kind of chaothic energy I think of when I think of Cardiacs .. But then again it's the only album I've heard from them. It is good, though, if a bit lengthy at 2 CDs. One of my favourite tracks from it at the moment is Dog Like Sparky.

I would also be interested in other recommendations from them though

Sneer · 10-26-2009, 12:26 PM

sweet, i like to hear a bands earlier stuff as a first port of call in general but i'll check that one out

Molecules · 10-26-2009, 12:33 PM

^I just blogged 'sing...' yesterday so will be happy to provide linx, infact it'll turn up in a blogsearch
Other albums:
Archive Cardiacs, this is what introduced me to them
On the Land and in the Sea (from 1989 and the line-up seen in the videos above)
If you can find the one TL mentioned, 'A Little Man And A House And The Whole World Window', that's good too

The production is less intense on these than 'Sing to God', they're easier to bear... 'the Seaside' is the one I am especially keen to hear though, if soulseek fails it will be a purchase job =0

edit: 'Dog Like Sparky' is probably my fave off that album too, 'Bellyeye' as well is almost a conventional song - in fact they occasionally sound like Blur at their most manic, which is little surprise as the band has cited Cardiacs as an influence =P

10-22-2009, 02:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
Molecules daddy don't Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: the Wastes Posts: 2,577	Cardiacs Would be interested to see what MB's prog wizards think about this 30-year-old cult institution from my old hometown of Kingston Upon Thames. Despite the fact that Tim Smith (the brains of the operation) has always vehemently rejected the 'progressive' label (he prefers simply 'pop' or 'psychedelic') it is a reasonable point to raise: there is a fondness for unusual chord progressions, chord modulation, and compressing the equivalent of a prog epic into 4 minutes or less... All with the energy of a '77 band. Cardiacs also opened for Marillion in the 80s, apparently Fish was heartbroken when the fans did not take to them... It's very easy to stick labels on their sound but it is totally unique, the only comparisons I can come up with are the more anarchic, ambitious New Wavers like XTC and Split Enz, mixed with the avant-rock of Henry Cow etc. There is little variation in the Cardiacs open-ended mentalist formula from what I have heard, and no, they NEVER slow down (well, no ballads at least). They are also ridiculously tight live. I think this is as clear-cut a case of love 'em or hate 'em as you will ever encounter on this forum... Unacknowledged genius or bad acid trip in a fairground? Or are they just trying too hard? I don't think so personally, plus buried in the lyrical abstractions are some statements somewhere I am sure of it, which keeps me listening __________________ [SIZE="1"]Eff em tumble her Last edited by Molecules; 10-22-2009 at 06:00 PM.

10-22-2009, 03:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Terrible Lizard **ER OF HOLES Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Butt**, Nebraska Posts: 1,211	Haven't gone through much of their stuff. All I have is "The Whole World Window whatever", but I haven't really listened to it. __________________ “YOU ARE SCUM SLUT.” -John Martyn

10-26-2009, 09:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,525	I've listened to their Sing to God album and I like it! They're certainly talented and one of the more unique bands I know of today. When I first heard them, I was extremely impressed. I have to say, though, that sitting down and listening to them - it quickly becomes a bit much for me. The energy and the chaos, while good, takes it's toll on me and the whole Sing to God album (double by the way) is a bit much for me in one sitting. Actually, it's a lot too much. A bit of Cardiacs now and then is awesome though __________________ Something Completely Different

10-26-2009, 10:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
Molecules daddy don't Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: the Wastes Posts: 2,577	haha I won't argue with that, they are too full-on to endure for long, that's what amazes me - how have they kept that pace up for 30 years? Mind you I have been lapping up extended Cardiacs sessions the last week... it's just been one of those weeks. In fact Jim Smith, ironically, had a cardiac arrest/stroke in 2008, so the future of the band is uncertain but apparently he is recovering. More 'daques: MUTANT SOUNDS: Search results for cardiacs __________________ [SIZE="1"]Eff em tumble her

10-26-2009, 12:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sneer Let it drip Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 5,430	molecules shut up Youre from kingston?!?! Its where i've lived most of mY life! Worcester Park to be exact. Mental. And i'll check out this band and get back to You __________________ LastFM Sneer's Emporium of Sound Fright Team radio show

10-26-2009, 12:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
Sneer Let it drip Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 5,430	I love what ive heard in those clips, what's the best album to start with? __________________ LastFM Sneer's Emporium of Sound Fright Team radio show

10-26-2009, 12:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
Sneer Let it drip Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 5,430	sweet, i like to hear a bands earlier stuff as a first port of call in general but i'll check that one out __________________ LastFM Sneer's Emporium of Sound Fright Team radio show

10-26-2009, 12:33 PM	#10 (permalink)
Molecules daddy don't Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: the Wastes Posts: 2,577	^I just blogged 'sing...' yesterday so will be happy to provide linx, infact it'll turn up in a blogsearch Other albums: Archive Cardiacs, this is what introduced me to them On the Land and in the Sea (from 1989 and the line-up seen in the videos above) If you can find the one TL mentioned, 'A Little Man And A House And The Whole World Window', that's good too The production is less intense on these than 'Sing to God', they're easier to bear... 'the Seaside' is the one I am especially keen to hear though, if soulseek fails it will be a purchase job =0 edit: 'Dog Like Sparky' is probably my fave off that album too, 'Bellyeye' as well is almost a conventional song - in fact they occasionally sound like Blur at their most manic, which is little surprise as the band has cited Cardiacs as an influence =P __________________ [SIZE="1"]Eff em tumble her