I have never heard anything so crazy, and they are getting into me. How I managed to click on a Cardiacs link I don’t know…, but I am happy I did.
They are impossible to pigeonhole. Each song is quite different from the last, except for Tim Smith’s vocal, and I never know what to expect.
As another video mentioned, it's 'Cardiacs', not 'The Cardiacs'. I would have preferred 'The' but it's not for me to dictate!
Digging a little deeper, many important bands such as Radiohead and Blur regard the band as influencers. Steven Wilson, a rare current artist who I respect is also a fan. They must have something then?
Blur invited them to be a support band during the 90’s, but they had to abort as the fans of this ‘premier’ brit-pop band were not impressed throwing bottles at them on stage. They didn't get it, and that was the same as me after my first listen of 'Tarred and Feathered’.
Cardiacs – Tarred and Feathered (Big Ship – 1987)
If you can get past this then you are doing well. I can’t stop laughing at the absurdity of it all, and when you watch one of those American watcher[reaction YouTube clips with the solemn stoic faces, it makes me laugh all the harder.
This song is not to be taken too seriously, and for that, I love it all the more. I mean talk about Britain from another period; it's like Madness on steroids. I can't see anyone from the other side of the pond getting this at all.
Everyone wears glasses, some at odd angles, with greasy hair and what looks like chocolate on their faces, pulling faces, big teeth… . is it progressive music?, it sounds very much like it to me, but very different from the usual tropes.
The end somehow reminds me of that emo classic (is that what it is?), ‘My Chemical Romance - Welcome To The Black Parade', even though it's totally different. That's makes no sense... a little like this crazy mad song.
Cardiacs – Manhoo (Sing to God – 1995)
'Sing to God' appears to be the most revered album from this band, and although I have yet to figure it all out I have listened to 'Manhoo' over ten times now and it's really setting in well.
It's been mentioned this is Cardiacs in full 'Sergeant Pepper' mode, and I can hear that a little with the brass that adds a lot. Don't expect anything resembling close to normal when listening to this one, as it sways all over the place changing direction when you least expect it to.
'Manhoo' was released as a single but this is far from single material and the unsuspecting public would dismiss it for being 'far too weird'. The only thing is has going for it in that respect is the length, which is radio friendly.
It's no surprise that the song failed to chart, and with the band insisting on using their own record label, the cost of almost zero publicity was always going to cost them.
Cardiacs – This is the Life (A Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window – 1988)
The song that got my attention from just one listen, and I tell you, that’s extremely rare for me. One commenter says ‘this is the most normal 'Cardiacs' song ever'. At the time I didn't understand this but after listening to many more, it makes complete sense.
If you listen to only one of these songs then this should be the one. A rousing guitar harmonic minor chord riff section kicks this off to a great start.
If you can get accustomed to Tim Smith's vocal style then this one will go down very well, and that guitar solo at the end.., fucking great and forces me to play air guitar Butthead style though I wish I could find a better copy as it truncates a little quickly.
The comedy is there again, dressed in slovenly suits from a different period and pulling faces all the way through. Is there a little influence being pulled in from Angus Young of AC/DC? Or is it just me?
Did these guys influence the advent of Brit-Prop? That vocal.. and yet released in 1988.
This last is one for you @detlev, the end will have you rocking out!
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