Thanks for the fantastic video and reaction. RIP Tim Smith. An amazing band, who developed a cult following, with amazing records and live performances. You get so much with this band, prog, jazz, nursery rhymes, baroque etc. Love them.
Fantastic...you got it instantly, beautiful. They started in 1977, and from day one were rejected by the British music press, who hated the idea of a band that transcended all genres. They influenced a lot of albums you like, and you never heard of them, because of that. Both sad and triumphant that the world gets to hear their brilliance now. Dive in.
They are such a fun band. A friend got me Tales From The Rotten Shed DVD for Christmas a few years ago and I felt like my head was hit with a tuning fork after it. Obsessed.
Incredible band. Mad as a box of frogs and supremely talented. if you want a sense of the live experience, watch the UA-cams video for 'Tarred and Feathered' and R.E.S.
Stay down this hole....of course you wont get many hits but this is a mega musical journey...I truly think this band are indeed the most intense EVER......"Try a track called As cold as can be in an English sea!" I buy all their DVD's...."Mares Nest DVD!" and "Fairy tales from the rotten shed!" are a veritable feast of musical diversity that takes the breath away........
Largest number of key changes in a song ever? (So you finally found out about them, eh? You lucky sod. Ok, some recommendations for future explorations: For the prog-punky-with-a-bit-of-Madness (the band, i.e.) stuff: "Buds and spawn", "Tarred and feathered" For the prog-proggy stuff: "The Everso Closely Guarded Line" For the melancholy and beautiful stuff: "Stoneage Dinosaurs", "A little man and a house" For the reggae stuff: "Wind and rains is cold" For the Britpop-made-better-than-Britpop-was-ever-made stuff: "Manhoo" For the just-plain-weird-and-yes-Tim-Smith-loved-Zappa-in-his-teens stuff: "Piffol four times" For the mesmerizing stuff: "Dirty Boy" Enjoy the journey!)
In the climbing section in the middle, that's a quote from Shakespeare (A Midsummer Night's Dream). This is the classic quintet (guitar, bass, keys, drums, percussion, sax) at the peak of their power. Since Ships and Irons is a collection of unreleased tunes and not meant as an album per se, I'd recommend On Land and in the Sea as an intro.
Cardiacs! Tonedial has it right with the Sing to God recommendation, as that is generally considered their magnum opus. Honestly though, I struggle to rank them myself. They haven't made a single album I don't adore. Songs for Ships and Irons is fantastic, so it would be amazing to see you dive into the full thing. It's technically a compilation album, combining an EP, some singles, and an exclusive track in the middle. But none of the songs are on a "proper" album, and it flows very very well as its own thing. Cardiacs fans (myself included) tend to treat it as its own album.
Welcome to a band that might well change your outlook on what is possible with guitar, drums, keys and bass, with a de-facto genius at the controls, zero budget and no record deal. Cardiacs were 100% self produced and released, and this allowed them total artistic freedom. I'd love to hear/see your opinion on "Buds And Spawn" from their 1989 album "On Land And In The Sea". Thanks for a great reaction video!
Cardiacs are one of the most original bands in the history of pop. They incorporate psychedelia, prog and punk plus chamber, choral and ska music, many of these often in the same track. There seems a bit of a divide between fans who prefer their early work from the late 70s to mid-80s and their later output in the 90s. This track sits roughly in the middle, so maybe gives an overall feel, but you can't really appreciate Cardiacs from just one (or even half a dozen) tracks. My favourite track of theirs is probably Fiery Gun Hand from their 1995 double album masterpiece, Sing To God.
They have reformed to pay tribute to Tim, as a 7 piece plus the odd guest singer, no backing tapes. Try and catch footage on UA-cam, absolutely incredible,. The reformation gig was a surprise, it was billed as a tribute, the daisy backdrop appeared and they all walked on stage, not a dry eye in the house. Tim was definitely in the room in spirit.
Glad to see this got put out as its own video 'cause that particular livestream got pulled. Without a doubt my favorite Cardiacs jam. Everyone's gonna say check out Sing to God and for very good reason, but this era of Cardiacs is my particular favorite 'cause the drums are real. Later albums would rely heavily on a drum machine and while they still sound surprisingly good (I got nothing against drum machines and use them all the time in my own music), once you notice it on later Cardiacs albums, they stick out big time. Songs for Ships and Irons and The Seaside Original Edition (it has to be the Original Edition since it has all the songs) are the sweet spot for me.
Songs for ships and irons is more a compilation than a real album, though its amazing, but then again it's Cardiacs so of course it's amazing. My favourite album was recorded and written around the same time the immense on land and on the sea, very closely followed by a little man and the house and the whole world window and the beast that us Sing to God. Would suggest you watch the live film all that glitters is a mares nest, which they went half's on the film crew with Napalm death who also recorded a live show at the same time
Fuck yeah, this album is fantastic, as well as all the others. I love, On Land and in the Sea. Sing to God, A Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window.. No bad albums. Guns and Heaven Born and Ever Bright are amazing though considered to be their lesser works, but I love them too. Keep doing more Cardiacs!
Genius band. This will always be your best reaction. Until another #cardiacs reaction. Do their double album SONG TO GOD. Their most intense and dissonant
You should definitely listen to this album/compilation of sorts , it has some of cardiacs best tunes.. big ship.. stone age dinosaurs .. lots of live footage on Utube too,recommend mares nest.
"As if Genesis was in the 90's" and they have other albums which that can be applied to. Lovely band, heavily influenced by Gentle Giant and other british punk-probably Dead Kennedys as well
I can understand why this escapes American sensibilities, just as in the same way that Monty python took a while before the American audience picked up on it.
Some call it "pronk" - inbetween prog and punk (as if they never added some ska or Devo or Medway-Sound to the mix)...others just call it the unique Cardiacs sound/attitude. High-profile fans of the band, and the much-missed Mr Smith, range from Fish to Blur to Gizzard. Immerse yourself in Cardiacs and your head will never be the same (especially after working through the Ships & Irons/Man+House-era repertoire). Btw - I'd be slacking if I didn't mention that Cardiacs were allied with - and occasionally swallowed-up - the exquisite Sidi Bou Said. I dare you to react to this ua-cam.com/video/rgwLqZJfv6Q/v-deo.html
The twists and turns of rhythm and melody in this tune always make me laugh. So funny! And so many great tunes on this album.
I love watching reaction videos from people who've never heard Cardiacs before. So many minds blown ;-)
Everything by Cardiacs is worthy of laudation
Thanks for the fantastic video and reaction. RIP Tim Smith. An amazing band, who developed a cult following, with amazing records and live performances. You get so much with this band, prog, jazz, nursery rhymes, baroque etc. Love them.
Fantastic...you got it instantly, beautiful.
They started in 1977, and from day one were rejected by the British music press, who hated the idea of a band that transcended all genres.
They influenced a lot of albums you like, and you never heard of them, because of that.
Both sad and triumphant that the world gets to hear their brilliance now. Dive in.
They are such a fun band. A friend got me Tales From The Rotten Shed DVD for Christmas a few years ago and I felt like my head was hit with a tuning fork after it. Obsessed.
Incredible band. Mad as a box of frogs and supremely talented. if you want a sense of the live experience, watch the UA-cams video for 'Tarred and Feathered' and R.E.S.
yes. Also ‘As Cold As Can Be In An English Sea’ (live in the shed)
Welcome to the pond, as Cardiacs fans are known. You will have a journey of discovery listening to their music!
Stay down this hole....of course you wont get many hits but this is a mega musical journey...I truly think this band are indeed the most intense EVER......"Try a track called As cold as can be in an English sea!" I buy all their DVD's...."Mares Nest DVD!" and "Fairy tales from the rotten shed!" are a veritable feast of musical diversity that takes the breath away........
You should have seen that song played live! Cardiacs were incredible.
Largest number of key changes in a song ever?
(So you finally found out about them, eh? You lucky sod. Ok, some recommendations for future explorations:
For the prog-punky-with-a-bit-of-Madness (the band, i.e.) stuff: "Buds and spawn", "Tarred and feathered"
For the prog-proggy stuff: "The Everso Closely Guarded Line"
For the melancholy and beautiful stuff: "Stoneage Dinosaurs", "A little man and a house"
For the reggae stuff: "Wind and rains is cold"
For the Britpop-made-better-than-Britpop-was-ever-made stuff: "Manhoo"
For the just-plain-weird-and-yes-Tim-Smith-loved-Zappa-in-his-teens stuff: "Piffol four times"
For the mesmerizing stuff: "Dirty Boy"
Enjoy the journey!)
There are other Cardiacs songs that beat this one. Key changes galore.
Check the time signature and tempo changes too! Genius “piecing together” that naturally flows and sounds organic.
Your facial expressions... every Cardiacs fan understands and has had similar ones. great vid
Cardiacs, the genius of Tim Smith, you are in for the time of your life, once you get hooked nothing will sound as good! Great video
In the climbing section in the middle, that's a quote from Shakespeare (A Midsummer Night's Dream). This is the classic quintet (guitar, bass, keys, drums, percussion, sax) at the peak of their power. Since Ships and Irons is a collection of unreleased tunes and not meant as an album per se, I'd recommend On Land and in the Sea as an intro.
Was lucky enough to be the support band in the late 80s
The best band I ever played with and my fav band of all times x
Cardiacs! Tonedial has it right with the Sing to God recommendation, as that is generally considered their magnum opus. Honestly though, I struggle to rank them myself. They haven't made a single album I don't adore.
Songs for Ships and Irons is fantastic, so it would be amazing to see you dive into the full thing. It's technically a compilation album, combining an EP, some singles, and an exclusive track in the middle. But none of the songs are on a "proper" album, and it flows very very well as its own thing. Cardiacs fans (myself included) tend to treat it as its own album.
Me too! This is prob my joint fave with every other one 😂
Welcome to a band that might well change your outlook on what is possible with guitar, drums, keys and bass, with a de-facto genius at the controls, zero budget and no record deal. Cardiacs were 100% self produced and released, and this allowed them total artistic freedom. I'd love to hear/see your opinion on "Buds And Spawn" from their 1989 album "On Land And In The Sea". Thanks for a great reaction video!
No band like Cardiacs. Try The Everso Closely Guarded Line from On land and in the Sea.
It's epic
I just started getting into the Cardiacs after hearing them on Steven Wilson's 80's compilation Intrigue. Very cool!
Cardiacs are one of the most original bands in the history of pop. They incorporate psychedelia, prog and punk plus chamber, choral and ska music, many of these often in the same track. There seems a bit of a divide between fans who prefer their early work from the late 70s to mid-80s and their later output in the 90s. This track sits roughly in the middle, so maybe gives an overall feel, but you can't really appreciate Cardiacs from just one (or even half a dozen) tracks. My favourite track of theirs is probably Fiery Gun Hand from their 1995 double album masterpiece, Sing To God.
".....many of these often in the same track....."
Not just in the same track. Often all at the same time.
Welcome to the Pond. X
An excellent first reaction. Maybe try something like Fiery Gun Hand, or Dirty Boy from their Sing to God album.
They have reformed to pay tribute to Tim, as a 7 piece plus the odd guest singer, no backing tapes. Try and catch footage on UA-cam, absolutely incredible,.
The reformation gig was a surprise, it was billed as a tribute, the daisy backdrop appeared and they all walked on stage, not a dry eye in the house. Tim was definitely in the room in spirit.
Glad to see this got put out as its own video 'cause that particular livestream got pulled. Without a doubt my favorite Cardiacs jam.
Everyone's gonna say check out Sing to God and for very good reason, but this era of Cardiacs is my particular favorite 'cause the drums are real. Later albums would rely heavily on a drum machine and while they still sound surprisingly good (I got nothing against drum machines and use them all the time in my own music), once you notice it on later Cardiacs albums, they stick out big time. Songs for Ships and Irons and The Seaside Original Edition (it has to be the Original Edition since it has all the songs) are the sweet spot for me.
Songs for ships and irons is more a compilation than a real album, though its amazing, but then again it's Cardiacs so of course it's amazing. My favourite album was recorded and written around the same time the immense on land and on the sea, very closely followed by a little man and the house and the whole world window and the beast that us Sing to God. Would suggest you watch the live film all that glitters is a mares nest, which they went half's on the film crew with Napalm death who also recorded a live show at the same time
You should check out 'The Everso Closely Guarded Line' & 'The Duck & Roger The Horse'
Fuck yeah, this album is fantastic, as well as all the others. I love, On Land and in the Sea. Sing to God, A Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window.. No bad albums. Guns and Heaven Born and Ever Bright are amazing though considered to be their lesser works, but I love them too.
Keep doing more Cardiacs!
Genius band. This will always be your best reaction. Until another #cardiacs reaction. Do their double album SONG TO GOD. Their most intense and dissonant
Cardiacs reaction is an instant like. I recommend "fiery gun hand", and "in a cold sea", which has a studio performance video thats really great.
You should definitely listen to this album/compilation of sorts , it has some of cardiacs best tunes.. big ship.. stone age dinosaurs .. lots of live footage on Utube too,recommend mares nest.
"As if Genesis was in the 90's" and they have other albums which that can be applied to. Lovely band, heavily influenced by Gentle Giant and other british punk-probably Dead Kennedys as well
Have a listen to the track Dirty Boy off the Sing to God album , life will never be the same
Subbed after this review
Yeah, this was pretty cool. I found the 80's pretty bleak musically, this was cool though. Thanks
I was lucky enough to jam with some of them
Best UK band ever besides the Beatles.......
I can understand why this escapes American sensibilities, just as in the same way that Monty python took a while before the American audience picked up on it.
best uk band ever besides the stranglers.
Some call it "pronk" - inbetween prog and punk (as if they never added some ska or Devo or Medway-Sound to the mix)...others just call it the unique Cardiacs sound/attitude. High-profile fans of the band, and the much-missed Mr Smith, range from Fish to Blur to Gizzard. Immerse yourself in Cardiacs and your head will never be the same (especially after working through the Ships & Irons/Man+House-era repertoire).
Btw - I'd be slacking if I didn't mention that Cardiacs were allied with - and occasionally swallowed-up - the exquisite Sidi Bou Said. I dare you to react to this ua-cam.com/video/rgwLqZJfv6Q/v-deo.html
Oh really? I haven't ever heard Gizzard mention them, do you happen to know what they said?
By the way - love your smiles listening to it! Try the rest - and be prepared for anything!!!!
The Gods.....
LAUDATION .....
Well my friend joined and got confused by the changes
I disagree with Tonedial, best album IMO is On Land and in the Sea.
But his suggestions are good too. They don't have a bad album really.
Manfred Mann’s Earth Band Drowning On Dry Land/Fish Soup
Some parts of this are straight up Jacob's Ladder into Fishbone.
Not the song I would've gone with, but very solid Cardiacs!
meow meow meow