Cardiacs - looking into the albums for beginners

LAM-SGC wrote: richardh wrote: Ok I've bitten and ordered the first album on the list direct from their website. A band I've literally never heard at all , not even streaming wise. That is the classic album that is by far the best. A lovely mix of shouty anthems, mad energy, and gentle reflection. I'll be keen to hear what you think of it. When I think back, I realise that Cardiacs and Kate Bush are the only artists I don't describe by comparing to other artists, I try to describe the music instead.

 

richardh wrote: Ok I've bitten and ordered the first album on the list direct from their website. A band I've literally never heard at all , not even streaming wise.

That is the classic album that is by far the best. A lovely mix of shouty anthems, mad energy, and gentle reflection.

I'll be keen to hear what you think of it.
When I think back, I realise that Cardiacs and Kate Bush are the only artists I don't describe by comparing to other artists, I try to describe the music instead.

Thank you

The answer to "Who is him?" Is this:
"He's Jim, he's Jim"

Grumpyprogfan wrote: I would classify them as carnival music. I have liked what I heard but they are an acquired taste. You need an open mind to absorb their sonic palette.

To be fair, all music that isn't in your everyday diet is an acquired taste.

Cardiacs are not a prog band nor are they a punk band nor are they rock band, according to Tim they are a pop band, and according to The Organ magazine, who minted tbe term, they are a pronk band, and I agree with that Pronk-Pop I would say, some of their music is such gentle beautiful indie pop and some of it is mind-blowing pronk noise, but all of it is the best music I've ever heard in My life.
If it isn't already obvious, Cardiacs has been my fav band since the late 80s,I'm very knowledgable about them and saw them live dozens of times.
But most importantly for me, like many other fans have said, and still say, they gave me a whole new insight into what music can and perhaps should be, they opened my eyes to what is possible. In other words they ruined music for me, in a good way. To this day, 32 years later, everything is still measured in my ears and soul against Cardiacs.   

So where can I buy "Sing to God I&II" CD at a decent price? I ordered it directly from the bands website five days ago and have had no correspondence whatsoever. Wayside music does not carry it. Don't want to spend a small fortune on a used copy.

Logan wrote: I must admit, I still don't have The Seaside in my collection. I've been meaning to rectify that for years.

WADDAFUGG!!!!

So you've never heard their mental ska song A Wooden Fish on Wheels and NWV in their correct album context?

I'm sure there must be a helpline you can ring for such trauma. ;)

Edited by LAM-SGC - February 27 2020 at 09:28

Forgot to say Logan, that while OLAITS is generally considered the best of the three classic period studio albums, my favourite is easily The Seaside.

Interestingly, while On Land and in the Sea became my favourite Cardiacs album (along with Songs for Ships and Irons), it didn't immediately appeal. At the time I was really into A Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window. My first album was Sing to God, which I adored. It was due to hearing "Dirty Boy" that I purchased that album. "All That Glitters Is a Mares Nest" is another particular favourite of mine. In terms of songs, which is another way to test them, I adore "Big Ship".

Watching and listening to this could be an awesome experience:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmitqsDp1uw

It's one of the bands that I most wish I had seen live.

EDIT: By the way, while I had heard "Is This The Life?" on the radio before, it wasn't until quite some years later that I started to become reasonably familiar with Cardiacs. I was at a sci-fi forum before this witha small but very close-knit community, and there were a few Cradicas fans there that tutrned me onto the music. That said, knowing I tend to appreciate the abusrd and quirky, my first real knowing experiences were some of their weird early videos -- RES and Tarred and Feathered as I recall. I was intrigued, was fun, but it didn't make me a fan. It wasn't until I joined this site that I explored more and got Sing to God, and from there grew to appreciate lots of Cardiacs and related music.

Edited by Logan - February 27 2020 at 09:18