"There's actually probably superlatives out there that...that don't exist that NEED to exist for this band." Well, THAT'S about as on point as it gets, my man. Yes. 100%. This song is the final, colossal capstone to 'On Land And In The Sea,' an absolutely perfect album from start to finish. Tim Smith was incapable of writing a bad tune/album, but for me, this album, 'Sing To God,' and 'Guns' represent the pinnacle of Cardiacs' output. Also, he wrote and recorded this album when he was 27.
Your comments about the composition of this piece are spot on. Tim taught himself to read and compose music by listening to The Who's 'Quadrophenia' whilst reading the score and his earlier albums were all scored by him meticulously, although he became tired of this approach and used it more rarely on later albums. Less than two years before his death his compositional abilities were celebrated with the award of an honorary doctorate of music by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
As far as I know it was William D Drake (keyboard player) who wrote most of the music for Ever So Closely Guarded Line. Imagine - two geniuses of that calibre in one band. Incredible.
You probably know this but Bill Drake's solo stuff id brilliant too, The Rising of the Lights and Revere Reach are standouts. Homesweet Homestead Hideaway is magnificent.
My current favourite Cardiacs tune :) It's amazing, the more listens you do the more coherent and seamless the song becomes! Lovely. Glad you enjoyed it too.
Hi Gregory, it kind of takes us all like that :-) I was massively privileged to see them live many times back in the day. All I can say is that as magnificent as the studio version of this song is, the live experience was beyond mind boggling and evenings spent as one of the 'little fishies in the pond' were some of the best of my life - wish I'd realised that at the time(!). As you rightly say, there aren't the superlatives out there to describe Tim's music, it's so far beyond anything else that's been made before or since. You can kind of get a feel for it on the 'All That Glitters Is A Mare's Nest' live video which I'd completely and utterly recommend you watch if you already haven't although this song isn't on it. Like a say, Tim was a genius beyond compare, taken far too early, just as he was finally starting to get the recognition he deserved. Life's a bitch but still, it's brilliant to see someone else really getting it. Cheers man and be well. ps I won't even start on Half Man Half Biscuit here. Equal genius but ion a totally different way (it's all in the words, not the music).
the line is between life and death - we guard it so closely. to walk in and breath in water and never be the same. On land (life) and in the sea (death) was a later album. Im giving you clues here not answers for a reason. I was a playwright in the 80s in deptford, England and I met tim a lot as we had gigs at the same places (venue, birds nest,etc) we talked a lot about life whilst getting drunk. Im so glad i fell on your podcast to see cardiacs and appreciate that - and what I will always say when i describe Cardiacs: They were the underground beatles of the 80-90s
Also, chuffed you 'get them'' now, it can take a while and Bravo doing thing a couple of days after Timmy's b'day! Basically they are classical music for the current day! . . . I would suggest an earlier tune that he wrote when about 19 years old . . . As Cold As Can Be In An English Sea
My favourite Cardiacs album a 12 out of 10 kinda thing for me and a hell of a statement considering their body of work...Timmy time is always the right time. Again urge you yo check out the mares nest live show to see a band celebrating happiness and joy all around the world
Wow, I didn't expect any Cardiacs fan to say 'how dare you'! We are precious of the music, for sure, but I don't think we (and I know I don't speak for the whole) hold it in some sanctified position that ought not be besmirched. I could go on an awful waffle about this song (one of, if not actually, my favourites), but I'll spare you that. I know it's not related to the music, but I love your accent. It's refreshing to hear American English without the pseudo-Californian nasal drawl, and your vowel formation is really cool.
This was my first Cardiacs song to ever listen to. It totally beat the crap out of me. I couldn't stop listening to them anymore. I also can't stop a track by Cardiacs for any reason when I'm listening to them.
Re genre, Its some sort of post-punk progessive thing, but it really is its own genre (Critics occasionally called it "pronk" Prog-punk, but pretty much everyone hates the term). Tim for his part just considered the band a psychedelic pop band. Its just Tim had a slightly cooked take on what constitutes pop. But in fairness there IS a strong pop (circa new-wave) sensibility in some of it, despite all the complexity Cardiacs DOES have enough catchy hooks to often get lodged in my head. Theres a reason guys like Damon Albarn and Thom Yorke rate this band so highly. Some recomendations that show that pop sensibility informing their prog: Fiery Gun hand, Odd Even, Wind and Rain is Cold. In fact Guns, their last album prior to Tims fateful stroke was very accessible as a "pop" album save for the *very* prog back-end of Arnald, with the rest of it being almost like what weird lovechild of The Pixies and Split Enz.
Certainly one of the finest Cardiacs moments, out of an unlistable number of others. I remember first hearing this in the 90s and thinking that whole closing section might have been influenced by Gentle Giant's wonderful long fade out on Three Friends from 1972 (another band of musical geniuses). A few years later I bumped into Dominic Luckman at a friend's wedding who admitted they did listen to GG.
Sounds like you know this already, but this song never wears out. Progressive ecstasy. Celebrating happiness and joy, all around the world, on land, and in the sea. (You did get every last note. The chime at the end is the signature sound of the _Alphabet Business Concern_ , who were the owners of Cardiacs - but that's a story for another day.) You'll probably enjoy the cover of this song (done with added loving care) by *Paolo Sala* ua-cam.com/video/DtB4tEAesgA/v-deo.html (he recently also wrote a strings section for a *Sterbus* cover of a song by a Tim Smith band. You might find it one day.) One of the reasons the song never wears out is because it keeps changing all the way through. It comes back to some verse, there's something new next time round. Yes, the music is always firstly for you to enjoy, not admire from too much of a distance. He invites you into the house. You listen to his music sitting next to him and the dog on the couch. Other progressive bands keep more distance, I feel. Cardiacs want you to feel extremely uncomfortable at times, but always also to feel completely at home. And there's still so much more out there, waiting for you! I don't know what the lyrics mean, usually. This album seems to be about the drive to create, along with a strong desire to be part of "the crowd", and not to be "above" it, and far, far away. Great to see you enjoying them so much, anyway.
Like a car naval girlfriend of the time said whent wasn't a fan like me got tickets couldn't get across London as no money he had a stroke next week should have jumped the tube!
its funny you already coded in ur brain that tart and feathered is ur nemesis when you compare it to other pieces, check it out again. and the lyrics and the production. and the music.
"There's actually probably superlatives out there that...that don't exist that NEED to exist for this band." Well, THAT'S about as on point as it gets, my man. Yes. 100%. This song is the final, colossal capstone to 'On Land And In The Sea,' an absolutely perfect album from start to finish. Tim Smith was incapable of writing a bad tune/album, but for me, this album, 'Sing To God,' and 'Guns' represent the pinnacle of Cardiacs' output. Also, he wrote and recorded this album when he was 27.
Jeez, just 27.
@@intothemusic908 You should hear some of what he was doing when he was a teenager. A couple of those ones give me goosebumps too.
Absolute utter genius from the genius that is Tim Smith, not forgetting his amazing band mates of course. My favourite cardiacs track, great work
Your comments about the composition of this piece are spot on. Tim taught himself to read and compose music by listening to The Who's 'Quadrophenia' whilst reading the score and his earlier albums were all scored by him meticulously, although he became tired of this approach and used it more rarely on later albums. Less than two years before his death his compositional abilities were celebrated with the award of an honorary doctorate of music by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Great information! Thanks!
My favorite tune - EVER. Epic.
As far as I know it was William D Drake (keyboard player) who wrote most of the music for Ever So Closely Guarded Line. Imagine - two geniuses of that calibre in one band. Incredible.
Indeed.
You probably know this but Bill Drake's solo stuff id brilliant too, The Rising of the Lights and Revere Reach are standouts. Homesweet Homestead Hideaway is magnificent.
Being Hooves too.
My current favourite Cardiacs tune :) It's amazing, the more listens you do the more coherent and seamless the song becomes! Lovely. Glad you enjoyed it too.
It's an incredible piece of composition.
Hi Gregory, it kind of takes us all like that :-) I was massively privileged to see them live many times back in the day. All I can say is that as magnificent as the studio version of this song is, the live experience was beyond mind boggling and evenings spent as one of the 'little fishies in the pond' were some of the best of my life - wish I'd realised that at the time(!). As you rightly say, there aren't the superlatives out there to describe Tim's music, it's so far beyond anything else that's been made before or since. You can kind of get a feel for it on the 'All That Glitters Is A Mare's Nest' live video which I'd completely and utterly recommend you watch if you already haven't although this song isn't on it. Like a say, Tim was a genius beyond compare, taken far too early, just as he was finally starting to get the recognition he deserved. Life's a bitch but still, it's brilliant to see someone else really getting it. Cheers man and be well. ps I won't even start on Half Man Half Biscuit here. Equal genius but ion a totally different way (it's all in the words, not the music).
the line is between life and death - we guard it so closely. to walk in and breath in water and never be the same. On land (life) and in the sea (death) was a later album. Im giving you clues here not answers for a reason. I was a playwright in the 80s in deptford, England and I met tim a lot as we had gigs at the same places (venue, birds nest,etc) we talked a lot about life whilst getting drunk. Im so glad i fell on your podcast to see cardiacs and appreciate that - and what I will always say when i describe Cardiacs: They were the underground beatles of the 80-90s
Great input
yw - now listen to 'to go off and things' and remember time signature isnt just about music ;)
yes yes that's it. Aw I was never brave enough to ask him about this song. Thank you.
"If I keep pulling this back, I'm gonna be here forever... I'm gonna pull this back." :)
my favorite cardiacs song. its like hearing it for the first time every time.
Amazing song
Another genius anthemic tune , they always chuck one pearl like this on every album . . . "PASSING ME BY . . . "
Also, chuffed you 'get them'' now, it can take a while and Bravo doing thing a couple of days after Timmy's b'day! Basically they are classical music for the current day! . . . I would suggest an earlier tune that he wrote when about 19 years old . . . As Cold As Can Be In An English Sea
Tim Smith's admiration for Gentle Giant is always evident.
One of their best.
My favourite Cardiacs album a 12 out of 10 kinda thing for me and a hell of a statement considering their body of work...Timmy time is always the right time. Again urge you yo check out the mares nest live show to see a band celebrating happiness and joy all around the world
They all work as one the drums are insane all that diversity of constant changes it's very opera dramatic, these bands are one no more after
Very good track, so interesting and unpredictable, a glorious banquet of sounds, cheers!
Wow, I didn't expect any Cardiacs fan to say 'how dare you'! We are precious of the music, for sure, but I don't think we (and I know I don't speak for the whole) hold it in some sanctified position that ought not be besmirched.
I could go on an awful waffle about this song (one of, if not actually, my favourites), but I'll spare you that. I know it's not related to the music, but I love your accent. It's refreshing to hear American English without the pseudo-Californian nasal drawl, and your vowel formation is really cool.
Great live
This was my first Cardiacs song to ever listen to. It totally beat the crap out of me. I couldn't stop listening to them anymore. I also can't stop a track by Cardiacs for any reason when I'm listening to them.
Live they look cool like a od circus
Re genre, Its some sort of post-punk progessive thing, but it really is its own genre (Critics occasionally called it "pronk" Prog-punk, but pretty much everyone hates the term). Tim for his part just considered the band a psychedelic pop band. Its just Tim had a slightly cooked take on what constitutes pop. But in fairness there IS a strong pop (circa new-wave) sensibility in some of it, despite all the complexity Cardiacs DOES have enough catchy hooks to often get lodged in my head. Theres a reason guys like Damon Albarn and Thom Yorke rate this band so highly. Some recomendations that show that pop sensibility informing their prog: Fiery Gun hand, Odd Even, Wind and Rain is Cold. In fact Guns, their last album prior to Tims fateful stroke was very accessible as a "pop" album save for the *very* prog back-end of Arnald, with the rest of it being almost like what weird lovechild of The Pixies and Split Enz.
Certainly one of the finest Cardiacs moments, out of an unlistable number of others. I remember first hearing this in the 90s and thinking that whole closing section might have been influenced by Gentle Giant's wonderful long fade out on Three Friends from 1972 (another band of musical geniuses). A few years later I bumped into Dominic Luckman at a friend's wedding who admitted they did listen to GG.
Sounds like you know this already, but this song never wears out. Progressive ecstasy. Celebrating happiness and joy, all around the world, on land, and in the sea. (You did get every last note. The chime at the end is the signature sound of the _Alphabet Business Concern_ , who were the owners of Cardiacs - but that's a story for another day.)
You'll probably enjoy the cover of this song (done with added loving care) by *Paolo Sala* ua-cam.com/video/DtB4tEAesgA/v-deo.html (he recently also wrote a strings section for a *Sterbus* cover of a song by a Tim Smith band. You might find it one day.)
One of the reasons the song never wears out is because it keeps changing all the way through. It comes back to some verse, there's something new next time round.
Yes, the music is always firstly for you to enjoy, not admire from too much of a distance. He invites you into the house. You listen to his music sitting next to him and the dog on the couch. Other progressive bands keep more distance, I feel. Cardiacs want you to feel extremely uncomfortable at times, but always also to feel completely at home.
And there's still so much more out there, waiting for you!
I don't know what the lyrics mean, usually. This album seems to be about the drive to create, along with a strong desire to be part of "the crowd", and not to be "above" it, and far, far away. Great to see you enjoying them so much, anyway.
The 'fried egg, chilly chutney sandwich' band, the parts are all wrong however, it works. Rimmer quote from Red Dwarf.
My girlfriend had tickets but I new them as nicked records off of other punks they were coool
Aparently
This song just caught me off guard. Just crazy Pause moments. Can't listen to any other band now
R well silly boy!!!!
Like a car naval girlfriend of the time said whent wasn't a fan like me got tickets couldn't get across London as no money he had a stroke next week should have jumped the tube!
Unrelated other than they are also genius and not well known and would think you would love try Tindersticks
Well, already have one song from them on this channel: ua-cam.com/video/zF_ChyYxrU0/v-deo.html. And plan to do a couple of more in the near future.
its funny you already coded in ur brain that tart and feathered is ur nemesis when you compare it to other pieces, check it out again. and the lyrics and the production. and the music.
Will do. Maybe even a published re-reaction.
I'm in Salisbury were there from
They were actually from Kingston Upon Thames . . . Chessington to be precise
Tim's house is there
He had a stroke now pegged it miss London!
He had a heart attack.
You got crucified for it...rightfully so.