Cardiacs, eh?
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Bands, Artists and Genres Appreciation
Forum Description: Discuss specific prog bands and their members or a specific sub-genre
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=37626
Printed Date: December 01 2024 at 17:35
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Cardiacs, eh?
Posted By: The Hemulen
Subject: Cardiacs, eh?
Date Posted: May 05 2007 at 16:44
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Now, I know they're not everyone's cup of tea. Nor, are they even all THAT proggy (Tim Smith utterly despises the use of the term prog OR punk in connection with their music) but for me, they are simply extraordinary. Not since I discovered Gentle Giant has one band lit up so many bits of my brain at once. I've spent the last year or so in a kind of musical daze, with nothing I've discovered subsequent to finding them really holding my attention. I'll give it a few spins, then dive straight back into my Cardiacs collection. So, what do other folks here think? There was a thread on them ages ago but that's well and truly died. I wonder how many Cardiacs fans we have on PA nowadays... |
Replies:
Posted By: cuncuna
Date Posted: May 05 2007 at 17:02
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Count me in. Incredible musicians indeed. ------------- ¡Beware of the Bee! |
Posted By: Ghandi 2
Date Posted: May 05 2007 at 18:13
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I'll have to check them out. Any recommendations? |
Posted By: Bj-1
Date Posted: May 05 2007 at 18:16
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I really like what I've heard from them. Their album is kinda hard to find though, but I will get'em eventually. ------------- RIO/AVANT/ZEUHL - The best thing you can get with yer pants on! |
Posted By: The Hemulen
Date Posted: May 05 2007 at 20:17
A Little Man and A House and the Whole World Window is usually touted as the best starting point, especially for proggers. It features a fair amount of mellotron and has a slightly "proggier" feel than some of their earlier, and indeed more recent stuff. I'd also say On Land and In The Sea is a great way to get into them if you like hard-edged avant-prog. If you like a refined, polished sound and don't mind an almost pop-like quality to your music as long as it's still weird and outlandish then Sing To God might suit you. Ultimately, it really all depends on your own tastes. All their albums are 100% Cardiacs and 100% brilliant, but each has a unique flavour to it. Personally I'd stick to one of those three for starters though. And as for availability... Their music is self-released and consequently quite scarce, with much of their back catalogue currently out of stock. However, fresh crops are apparently on their way. In the meantime, don't feel too guilty about getting mp3s whilst you're waiting for the albums to be re-released. I reckon the band would prefer that than you wasting money on e-bay, none of which will reach them. |
Ghandi 2 wrote:Posted By: cuncuna
Date Posted: May 05 2007 at 20:21
The "Sing to God" double album. But mark my words: they sound like a punk and a prog band mixed in a really high speed blender. ------------- ¡Beware of the Bee! |
Posted By: The Hemulen
Date Posted: May 05 2007 at 20:22
Mmm... Pronk smoothie... |
Posted By: Bj-1
Date Posted: May 05 2007 at 21:52
Even mp3's of them are difficult to find..  ------------- RIO/AVANT/ZEUHL - The best thing you can get with yer pants on! |
Posted By: Atomic_Rooster
Date Posted: May 06 2007 at 01:14
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they're a pretty cool band, but yeah, their albums are really tough to find
------------- I am but a servant of the mighty Fripp, the sound of whose loins shall forever be upon the tongues of his followers. |
Posted By: I|I|I|I|I
Date Posted: May 06 2007 at 01:33
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I find this band quite unique. And very catchy, in a strange way.
------------- Go and listen to my music. http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=31725 |
Posted By: con safo
Date Posted: May 06 2007 at 04:13
AMAZING BAND!!!!
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Posted By: The Hemulen
Date Posted: May 06 2007 at 12:10
They're extremely catchy! You should see their fans at live shows - bobbing up and down and singing along at breakneck speed! I should know, I was one at their last gig! |
Posted By: A B Negative
Date Posted: May 07 2007 at 06:08
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When I first heard the Cardiacs I couldn't (under)stand them. The music was all over the place and I couldn't follow it. And that xylophone/glockenspiel/whatever - as irritating as the worst of Frank Zappa. The way they looked didn't help much either! When I heard Is This the Life my opinion changed slightly. It's a great song, more linear than other stuff I'd heard. Then I heard Van der Graaf Generator. Parts of A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers sounded exactly the same to me as the Cardiacs. Weird! A while later I heard Bellyeye on Mark Radcliffe's radio show and was absolutely stunned! I bought the CD single and loved the title track but wasn't too keen on the other tracks. Then a couple of years ago I spotted the Sing To God CD really cheap and thought I'd take a chance. I'm glad I did, it's a superb album!  ------------- "The disgusting stink of a too-loud electric guitar.... Now, that's my idea of a good time." |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: May 07 2007 at 07:19
| I still like them. First time I heard a real blend of prog and punk (even though Tim Smith wouldn't agree with those words). I'm glad with all bands who don't care at all if they're hip / cool or not. And The Cardiacs have some nice tunes! |
Posted By: SheikYerbouti
Date Posted: May 07 2007 at 07:58
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Anyone got some links to some Mp3s, I'd really like to listen. |
Posted By: The Hemulen
Date Posted: May 07 2007 at 09:27
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This is what I'm talking about! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aL5MGoI-60M - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aL5MGoI-60M |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: May 07 2007 at 09:53
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^^^ It's them, no doubt. Long live The Cardiacs.
BTW, nice to see a fresh thread from you, TP!
 |
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: May 07 2007 at 11:01
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I dont know much about them. They were a 'name' on the 'Indie' scene in the mid to late 80's and I remember gazing at my shoes, in a cloud of dry ice to 'Is this the life' many times. Good days!
Just watched the Youtube clips. They are a truly extraordiary band, and very original. One day I'll take the plunge and actually buy one of their albums.. ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: The Hemulen
Date Posted: May 09 2007 at 15:40
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Aww c'mon chaps! This thread doesn't deserve to die yet!
More images: %20 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIB_9YvJAFo |
Posted By: Atomic_Rooster
Date Posted: May 09 2007 at 15:41
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anyone know when their albums may come back into print?
------------- I am but a servant of the mighty Fripp, the sound of whose loins shall forever be upon the tongues of his followers. |
Posted By: The Hemulen
Date Posted: May 09 2007 at 15:45
| No dates as of yet but sometime this year, apparently. |
Posted By: Atomic_Rooster
Date Posted: May 09 2007 at 15:51
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great!
------------- I am but a servant of the mighty Fripp, the sound of whose loins shall forever be upon the tongues of his followers. |
Posted By: Saskia
Date Posted: May 11 2007 at 14:02
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Why is everybody always recommending the same albums? Yes, "A Little Man...", "On Land and on the Sea" and "Sing to God" are excellent CDs, but my personal favorite may well be "Songs for Ships and Irons". This one also has its fair share of Cardiacs live classics like "Big Ship", "Tarred and Feathered" and "Loosefish Scapegrace" plus it has some of their most progressive tracks namely "Stoneage Dinosaurs", "Blind in Safety and Leafy in Love" and especially the onderful instrumental "All His Geese are Swans" . BTW Did anyone notice the yet unreleased track http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uASnYxw39w - "Will Bleed Amen" on Youtube? The version of " http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMIiqAFn4f0 - Hope Day " is excellent too. If people say the Cardiacs aren't prog, that song is a good introduction. |
Posted By: Baggiesfaninuk
Date Posted: May 11 2007 at 15:38
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Cardiacs are a very clever and unique band. I was privileged to see them live several times in the late 80s but lost touch until midway through last year when I blew the dust off some old vinyl. The result was the immediate purchase of 'Sing to God Parts 1 & 2', successful YouTube searches and contacting the band to see if any DVDs might be forthcoming. Apparently they are - later this year. Fingers crossed! Awesome!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlfWoWHHRNA&mode=related&search= - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlfWoWHHRNA&mode=related&search= My favourite video of all time. ------------- My father was a beekeeper before me; his father was a beekeeper. I want to follow in their footsteps. And their footsteps were like this. (Runs screaming) "AAAAAAAH! I'm covered in beeeeees!" - Izzard |
Posted By: The Hemulen
Date Posted: May 11 2007 at 17:39
That's another of my favourites too, saskia! It's really just terribly hard to pick a single reccomendation for a newcomer, They all have their merits! It's looking highly likely that the new album will emerge sometime this year, and rumours abound of BBC sessions and perhaps even a few extra dates on top of their annual Astoria gig! I can scarcely contain my excitement, let me tells ya! |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: June 15 2021 at 01:51
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Count me in on the Cardiacs appreciation front. My top three albums would be: On Land and in the Sea Songs for Ships and Irons All That Glitters Is a Mares Nest Rather old topic I know, but maybe I was not yet really into Cardiacs when this was made. Sing to God was my first album to get and made me a fan. ------------- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXcp9fYc6K4IKuxIZkenfvukL_Y8VBqzK" rel="nofollow - Duos for fave acts |
Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: June 15 2021 at 02:04
14 years? Must be some kind of record.
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: June 15 2021 at 02:22
No, there have been older still ones. Now if I were going for some kind of record, this is quoted from the first post:
Funny that that ages ago wouldn't have been more than three years old roughly. How time flies. My son was born in 2007 and is now in high school. Seems like yesterday at PA to me I do like it when old appreciation threads are unlocked and responded to rather than creating new ones (I have unlocked a few for people). ------------- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXcp9fYc6K4IKuxIZkenfvukL_Y8VBqzK" rel="nofollow - Duos for fave acts |
Posted By: Lewian
Date Posted: June 15 2021 at 03:12
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To update the 2007 information, (almost) all of their stuff is now on Bandcamp. Also there are numerous Cardiacs-related bands such as Knifeworld or The Sea Nymphs worth checking out.
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Posted By: nick_h_nz
Date Posted: June 15 2021 at 03:21
And here is the https://alphabet-business-concern.bandcamp.com" rel="nofollow - link to their Bandcamp. ------------- https://tinyurl.com/nickhnz-tpa" rel="nofollow - Reviewer for The Progressive Aspect |
Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: June 15 2021 at 04:56
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I wasn't on this site when this thread started! Huge fan, big regrets I didn't know them when I lived in England and never got to see them Sing To God Little Man ... Sounds For Ships & Irons On Land & In The Sea Garage Concerts Guns Also must see's related bands are:- Spratleys Japs Tim Smith solo Sea Nymphs Mr & Mrs Smith and Mr Drake The Shrubbies Lost Crowns North Sea Radio Orchestra ------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: June 15 2021 at 11:47
No mention of Tim Smith yet?  ------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State. |
Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: June 15 2021 at 11:50
With regard to what?
------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: June 15 2021 at 12:04
------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State. |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: June 15 2021 at 12:07
| I've known about this band for years although I've heard very little music by them(only a few tracks on youtube). I think I first heard of them on the old RMP in the late 90's. Anyway, unfortunately all their albums are currently out of print. On top of that the leader of the band, Tim Smith, died last year. They are somewhat legendary in "modern" prog circles but like Gentle Giant and Rush they will more than likely never reform again. |
Posted By: Chaser
Date Posted: June 15 2021 at 12:27
Their albums are readily available from the Cardiacs website cardiacs.net I've bought several recently and they're reasonably priced with a prompt efficient delivery Highly recommended and highly recommend Cardiacs - especially Sing to God, which is a classic IMO ------------- Songs cast a light on you |
Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: June 15 2021 at 12:31
Also, as previously mentioned, they are on bandcamp. ------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: June 15 2021 at 12:54
| ^Downloads maybe but I doubt they have physical copies on there. |
Posted By: nick_h_nz
Date Posted: June 15 2021 at 13:04
Doubt all you like, but you’re wrong. https://abc-mary.myshopify.com/collections/cds" rel="nofollow - https://abc-mary.myshopify.com/collections/cds ------------- https://tinyurl.com/nickhnz-tpa" rel="nofollow - Reviewer for The Progressive Aspect |
Posted By: Chaser
Date Posted: June 15 2021 at 13:15
They have CD's that you can buy ------------- Songs cast a light on you |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: June 15 2021 at 13:15
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One that I've recommended to various people who are more into the Symph side of things, and especially to those into Neo-Prog, is A Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window. There is something quite Neo-Prog about various Cardiacs music to me, without actually being Neo-Prog. Cardiacs opening for Marillion didn't seem that odd to me (and of course one has the punkier Neo-Prog acts which can share something in common with Cardiacs). I also rather associate it with some Rush at times. Mostly it's a band that under PA definitions could fit Crossover Prog, Eclectic Prog (some Gentle Giant-like similarities and some VdGG qualities) as well as Avant Prog, with some symph thrown in, I'd say, and of course it can get heavy. I think you can still get the physical products at https://abc-mary.myshopify.com/" rel="nofollow - https://abc-mary.myshopify.com/ Just tell them Jimmy?/ Jim? sent you. My memory is terrible, hopefully someone will now what I'm talking about. I have heard that it can sometimes take a while, but that was sometime ago. Ah, I spent too long an this and that last part was answered. Was trying to remember a name (Jimmy maybe) and google wasn't helping. EDIT: Think I just remembered that I'm thinking of is "Where's Jim?" Jim Smith's a guy. Tim's bro. ------------- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXcp9fYc6K4IKuxIZkenfvukL_Y8VBqzK" rel="nofollow - Duos for fave acts |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: June 15 2021 at 13:17
I was referring specifically to bandcamp.
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: June 15 2021 at 14:01
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Yeah, I wouldn't look to bandcamp for trying to buy phyical copies even though albums can be bought through bandcamp, but not from bandcamp, as one can find seller links, labels and stuff. Here's a topic on that subject: https://www.reddit.com/r/BandCamp/comments/kpeb7l/buying_physical_albums_on_bandcamp/" rel="nofollow - buying physical albums on bandcamp I'm one of those who is happy to stream from bandcamp, and likes to listen before buying a physical product (except when it comes to used vinyls). Hopefully https://abc-mary.myshopify.com/collections/cds" rel="nofollow - https://abc-mary.myshopify.com/collections/cds helps if interested. I might buy a vinyl (I'm not that big on CDs). Moving off that topic to a Cardiacs-related thing, I have mentioned this elsewhere, but I love Singin' to God which covers all of Sing to God. Here is the youtube playlist, done by the person behind it. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOwe-ErrEN0xprxPLEGq-JiQQbuy8cSLs" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOwe-ErrEN0xprxPLEGq-JiQQbuy8cSLs My favourite from it, but then Dirty Boy is what initially turned me on to Cardiacs: ------------- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXcp9fYc6K4IKuxIZkenfvukL_Y8VBqzK" rel="nofollow - Duos for fave acts |
Posted By: nick_h_nz
Date Posted: June 15 2021 at 14:17
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I buy almost everything from Bandcamp - physical or download. It’s always my first port of call. Generally speaking, the only time I don’t buy physical product from Bandcamp is where the band asks (on their Bandcamp page) me to buy it from elsewhere. And, to be fair, a lot of bands are savvy to the fact that Bandcamp is where people first look, and use it almost as advertising for their own website or BigCartel (or similar) store. It’s not uncommon these days to see the download available for sale on Bandcamp, with directions to another website to buy cd or vinyl. I absolutely love Bandcamp, and the bands and artists I know who use it, do too. I honestly think any band or artist who doesn’t use Bandcamp is doing themselves a disservice. ------------- https://tinyurl.com/nickhnz-tpa" rel="nofollow - Reviewer for The Progressive Aspect |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: June 15 2021 at 14:29
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I've never bought through bandcamp (other than the more ethereal data transmissions). Bandcamp is a terrific service. What I did find of Cardiacs on bandcamp for physical copies was linking to alphabet business concern. I like to buy as direct as possible generally with new" product. ------------- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXcp9fYc6K4IKuxIZkenfvukL_Y8VBqzK" rel="nofollow - Duos for fave acts |
Posted By: miamiscot
Date Posted: June 15 2021 at 14:55
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Love 'em. ------------- The Prog Corner |