The thing that really made Cardiacs was the performance. The music was just one part of the whole. You'd hear the record and know every note but it'd still amaze you that they could do it perfectly live but there was something fresh in the performance every time.
On a more serious note, its very heartwarming to see you smiling and laughing along with the track. While they obviously aren't a comedy act, they have an innate understanding of melody (more so than any other band that has existed imo) that helps them convey this playful and fun personality in their songwriting. I can't explain how they achieve this other than that Tim Smith was a genius. The fact that you find the quirkiness endearing and amusing rather than annoying is very encouraging. This video really takes me back to the first time I explored their works. Loved every second of this video!
Yeah there is a lot of charm in their stuff that comes off as a kind of confident playfulness. They have a very strong understanding of compositional norms and work within and around them in just the right measure to effortlessly sway between sounding comfortable and pushing against norms. So they frequently fall into standard ideas and the subvert those when the listener least expects it. Like all good comedy, it has a honed understanding of musical norms and consistently executes the "punchlines" with expert precision.
Their song “Dirty Boy” has to be the ultimate example of Cardiacsian ‘excess’. Like, what if you told a joke that went on for so long it became epic poetry.
Very nice analysis. But FYI, LOOSEFISH SCAPEGRACE was not "released in 1991" as the text writer said. It was released four years earlier, in 1987, on a 12-inch vinyl EP called "Too Many Irons In The Fire." The 1991 release spoken of here is the 1991 re-release on a compilation album called "Songs For Ships And Irons." -- That LP compiled together the earlier "BIG SHIPS" EP and "IRONS IN THE FIRE" EP. Cardiacs were even more ahead of their time than themselves.
Greatest band EVER. Tim's brilliance transcends any attempts at trying to quantify it. He is such a unique and individual composer. My favorite musical discovery in 30 years alongside Zappa, Tull, Opeth, Mahler, Ravel, Sibelius, and Shostakovich. Timmy 💘
Go directly to Tim Smith's only solo album, Tim Smith's Extra Special OceanLandWorld. Pop music with Cardiacs density, it's a real gem. Also: unique vocals? Are we finally getting into The Residents?
Great video, funnily enough as a long time cardiacs fan I put this album on earlier today as haven’t played it in a while, it’s essentially a compilation of eps and a single from 87 and it’s great. There’s so much joy to be had with the genius that is Tim Smith, after all these years I still get immense joy listening to their music, had the privilege of seeing them live many times, a truly amazing band, enjoy your journey into their world!
Yeah, loved this one as well (I'm listening to these Cardiacs back-to-back), and I think it arguably shows off the prog and punk elements, though what surprises me most is how classic the prog influences seem to be (part of this sounds like it could be a lost Pink Floy song, especially vocally, and the more theatrical elements), but how the punk influences seem to be more modern. So not only are we getting this push-pull contrast between two genres that generally don't go together, we're also getting the contrast between different musical eras that don't go together. This simultaneously sounds like something that could've come out in the late 60s, but also something that could've only come within the last couple of decades... it's really bizarre, and totally fascinating... and really good(!) on top of all that. I mean, as struck as I am by the originality of the genre and era mixture, I'm just as struck by how enjoyable it is. Guess I'm going to be needing to do a discog run for these guys too!
You're right, it's an excellent reaction. This song puts a huge grin on my face, it's so daft and ornate. But the music is still somehow catchy, and the performance is dazzling.
The annoying younger borther comment you made is very interesting to a Cardiacs fan! Tim Smith the mastermind, vocalist and guitarist would 'bully' his older brother Jim (bassist) on stage. This was all an act of course and part of the fun for the audience who would chant Jim's name to annoy Tim. It was all part of the weird Cardiacs world of ideas. "Who is him!?"
@@antlermagick Was it still Mark drumming on this track? I'm not that familiar with when band members changed, but I've heard quite a few of the names as I got into Cardiacs.
@@BlueCrayon77 Not at this point no - Mark stopped drumming for them around like 1983, while they were recording The Seaside. He's on a few tracks of that album and remained a friend of the band afterwards. This would have been Dominic Luckman I think.
Really enjoyed following this reaction and getting further insights through your analysis! "Entertaining" is the least you can say about this band 😄 Cardiacs are (or was 😪) - except for a progressive kinda punk-ish, ska-ish (etc) and wacky "pop-band" - also often very anthemic and epic in their songs. Besides their unique "sound", the unpredictability is the only predictable feature really... Sax is the only wind instrument here and in most songs.
Hi Bryan, they used a Mellotron and an old String machine back then as well. Musicians on this (as was the live shows at the time) was Guitar, Bass, Drums, Sax, Keyboards and Percussion - 7 piece, all shit hot musicians. They were RIDICULOUSLY tight every gig (and I saw a lot) with their own personas on stage (all mental!) Yep, Tim had a fairly hi pitch voice and his rapport with the crowd was great, one second being all lovely and the next telling the crowd to "shut your fucking mouths," all of which the crowd of course loved. I've been in bands 40ish years, and I always feel sorry for people who never saw them - without a doubt the BEST live band I've ever seen. Tim Smith was a genius and he'll always be sadly missed.
Lineup then (this was recorded late 80s and re-released in 1991) was drums, bass, guitar, keyboards, saxophone and percussionist. They didn't have a Moog, but did have a Jen SX-2000 (not the better-known 1000) organ/synth hybrid. Percussion included marimba and xylophone which frequently featured heavily alongside the keyboards.
The whole album Guns has background noise. It seems to me that Tim often would put lots of channels panned hard l or r of just people yammering or loose noise. It starts with noise before the first note even.
Hell yeah if you do Cardiacs again soon you should listen to signs. Also, I'ma request Major Parkinson again here, listen to the song Baseball. Major Parkinson draws major influence from Cardiacs.
Tim Smith (vocalist/composer) uses the melodies and harmonies from sea shanties a lot. Very English And there's not as much instrumentation as you think....
You’re completely wrong about the actual ending…. Live, it was an epic singalong…. Everyone in the pond knew all the words and sang their hearts out….. “I'm a man seeing if I can, be a bigger man and be the big world holder And wear it on my shoulder Confiscate all the hearts and minds of all human kind And give a daring operation To deflect all life's afflictions” What an ending…. You had to be there really
The comedian Stewart Lee has experimented with repetition, and talked about how repeating a joke can make it transition from funny, to unfunny, to funny again. He is known for being influenced by the Fall, who have achieved a similar effect by repeating their riffs for as much as 10 minutes, taking them from great, to a bit boring, to somehow transcendent. Long story short but I think the repetition of the escalating riff in this song is necessary for the effect rather than merely comical. It takes listeners on a journey from "nice melody", to absurdity, then through to something quite special and magical
You might enjoy *The Breakfast Line* (and then maybe this cover on piano by Zachary Detrick th-cam.com/video/LZqkdiWbgtw/w-d-xo.html ). Cardiacs have the best covers. For more musical jokes that sound good, try *Come Back Clammy Lammy* (which is really about a barnacle, not a clam). They squeeze more words than can fit into some verses, and then stretch out a paltry few words in others.
One thing you shouldn't miss is the "Rotten Shed" videos (of rehearsals all cooped up in a rotten shed - what could possibly go wrong?). A quick introduction to that would be *Jibber and Twitch* th-cam.com/video/OxhuQWKwbqY/w-d-xo.html (which introduces the famous mystery of the effing dog).
It's like a speeded up high school musical, played by spiteful brats on circus instruments, whilst high, viewed through a distorting mirror. It's genius.
New to this band. Dunno how they escaped me! I hear a lot of major chromatic mediants very cleverly deployed. I’m both attracted and repelled. I think it’s those chords that unsettle me. Leaning more to ‘attracted’. They’re obviously fantastic musicians. Excellent analysis.
Your analogy of stretching out a joke so that the telling (rather than the punchline) becomes the funny part reminds me of the late, great Norm Macdonald on Conan: th-cam.com/video/n3LMSflEN54/w-d-xo.html
About the exaggerated buildups to obvious punchlines you talk about... You should see that movie they made, which includes nuggets like the scene where Jim Smith fails to plug in the bass for around 5 minutes.
Great song. Not sure why you did Manhoo though. Easily the worst track from Sing to God. Listen to Buds and Spawn. Mind-blowing arrangement and composition.
About 9.30 excess jokes absurdity. I have loved cardiacs since I heard rude bootleg....it sounded shroomy a bit...and for those 3 reasons mentioned for om mein host... Little man and a house and the whole world window LP's breakfast line (maybe?)first tune side 2 would be a gooden to analyze ..it's like Floyd's atom heart mother ...yeah...comedy also...an underbelly of discent..punky Good commentary
Yer right.. excess...ace!!keep it going cardiacs('the' optional) 1987...all spectacular 12 incher INCLUDING(drum roll) All spectacular Loosefish scapegrace(...sir) Was there another tune, I'm sure there was. a copy of this fine 12 incher would include a beautiful lyric/credits sheet,'twixt the folds a photographic collage from a gig at the marquee,london,and the beautiful and maelstromic poem of the high seas,RAT ON RAFT... Cheers dude!
The thing that really made Cardiacs was the performance. The music was just one part of the whole. You'd hear the record and know every note but it'd still amaze you that they could do it perfectly live but there was something fresh in the performance every time.
Seeing you smiling/laughing/cracking up almost in disbelief while listening is a joy to behold. This is the correct reaction. 👍
Ladies and Gentlemen, we got him.
On a more serious note, its very heartwarming to see you smiling and laughing along with the track. While they obviously aren't a comedy act, they have an innate understanding of melody (more so than any other band that has existed imo) that helps them convey this playful and fun personality in their songwriting. I can't explain how they achieve this other than that Tim Smith was a genius.
The fact that you find the quirkiness endearing and amusing rather than annoying is very encouraging. This video really takes me back to the first time I explored their works. Loved every second of this video!
Yeah there is a lot of charm in their stuff that comes off as a kind of confident playfulness. They have a very strong understanding of compositional norms and work within and around them in just the right measure to effortlessly sway between sounding comfortable and pushing against norms. So they frequently fall into standard ideas and the subvert those when the listener least expects it. Like all good comedy, it has a honed understanding of musical norms and consistently executes the "punchlines" with expert precision.
Their song “Dirty Boy” has to be the ultimate example of Cardiacsian ‘excess’. Like, what if you told a joke that went on for so long it became epic poetry.
Cardiacs are just glorious
Very nice analysis. But FYI, LOOSEFISH SCAPEGRACE was not "released in 1991" as the text writer said. It was released four years earlier, in 1987, on a 12-inch vinyl EP called "Too Many Irons In The Fire." The 1991 release spoken of here is the 1991 re-release on a compilation album called "Songs For Ships And Irons." -- That LP compiled together the earlier "BIG SHIPS" EP and "IRONS IN THE FIRE" EP. Cardiacs were even more ahead of their time than themselves.
True! My bad...
I had it on Cardiacs Live, wondering if that was before or after the studio recording?
Greatest band EVER. Tim's brilliance transcends any attempts at trying to quantify it. He is such a unique and individual composer. My favorite musical discovery in 30 years alongside Zappa, Tull, Opeth, Mahler, Ravel, Sibelius, and Shostakovich. Timmy 💘
Meeting Tim was a massive highlight in my life - what a feller he was. XX
"It's a lot. All the time." Yup! Ah, if you appreciate CARDIACS there are so many treasures out there to discover.
Go directly to Tim Smith's only solo album, Tim Smith's Extra Special OceanLandWorld. Pop music with Cardiacs density, it's a real gem.
Also: unique vocals? Are we finally getting into The Residents?
Great video, funnily enough as a long time cardiacs fan I put this album on earlier today as haven’t played it in a while, it’s essentially a compilation of eps and a single from 87 and it’s great. There’s so much joy to be had with the genius that is Tim Smith, after all these years I still get immense joy listening to their music, had the privilege of seeing them live many times, a truly amazing band, enjoy your journey into their world!
RIP Tim Smith :(
Yeah, loved this one as well (I'm listening to these Cardiacs back-to-back), and I think it arguably shows off the prog and punk elements, though what surprises me most is how classic the prog influences seem to be (part of this sounds like it could be a lost Pink Floy song, especially vocally, and the more theatrical elements), but how the punk influences seem to be more modern. So not only are we getting this push-pull contrast between two genres that generally don't go together, we're also getting the contrast between different musical eras that don't go together. This simultaneously sounds like something that could've come out in the late 60s, but also something that could've only come within the last couple of decades... it's really bizarre, and totally fascinating... and really good(!) on top of all that. I mean, as struck as I am by the originality of the genre and era mixture, I'm just as struck by how enjoyable it is. Guess I'm going to be needing to do a discog run for these guys too!
Mission completed! ❤
Bryan, I loved this reaction. I hope you check out Dirty Boy, the second chorus and finale will impress you
Yeah, think he's ready for it 😊
My favorite song of all time.
You're right, it's an excellent reaction. This song puts a huge grin on my face, it's so daft and ornate. But the music is still somehow catchy, and the performance is dazzling.
"Oh man... what a band" - and that's only three songs in!
The annoying younger borther comment you made is very interesting to a Cardiacs fan! Tim Smith the mastermind, vocalist and guitarist would 'bully' his older brother Jim (bassist) on stage. This was all an act of course and part of the fun for the audience who would chant Jim's name to annoy Tim. It was all part of the weird Cardiacs world of ideas. "Who is him!?"
"Who is him?"
"Mark Cawthra"
@@antlermagick Was it still Mark drumming on this track? I'm not that familiar with when band members changed, but I've heard quite a few of the names as I got into Cardiacs.
@@BlueCrayon77 Not at this point no - Mark stopped drumming for them around like 1983, while they were recording The Seaside. He's on a few tracks of that album and remained a friend of the band afterwards.
This would have been Dominic Luckman I think.
Jiiiiiiiim Jim Jim Jim Jim jim
Really enjoyed following this reaction and getting further insights through your analysis! "Entertaining" is the least you can say about this band 😄
Cardiacs are (or was 😪) - except for a progressive kinda punk-ish, ska-ish (etc) and wacky "pop-band" - also often very anthemic and epic in their songs. Besides their unique "sound", the unpredictability is the only predictable feature really...
Sax is the only wind instrument here and in most songs.
Could be time for their track Dirty Boy!
Hey, nice analogy with stretching out a joke. Be careful now, Cardiacs are addictive.
Hi Bryan, they used a Mellotron and an old String machine back then as well. Musicians on this (as was the live shows at the time) was Guitar, Bass, Drums, Sax, Keyboards and Percussion - 7 piece, all shit hot musicians. They were RIDICULOUSLY tight every gig (and I saw a lot) with their own personas on stage (all mental!) Yep, Tim had a fairly hi pitch voice and his rapport with the crowd was great, one second being all lovely and the next telling the crowd to "shut your fucking mouths," all of which the crowd of course loved. I've been in bands 40ish years, and I always feel sorry for people who never saw them - without a doubt the BEST live band I've ever seen. Tim Smith was a genius and he'll always be sadly missed.
Lineup then (this was recorded late 80s and re-released in 1991) was drums, bass, guitar, keyboards, saxophone and percussionist. They didn't have a Moog, but did have a Jen SX-2000 (not the better-known 1000) organ/synth hybrid. Percussion included marimba and xylophone which frequently featured heavily alongside the keyboards.
I believe the opening of the song and 5:20 and 6:20 in this video is a use of Shepard tone.
'I think I've figured out Card-' bwahahaha lol
Try '(Junior Is A) Jitterbug'.
The whole album Guns has background noise. It seems to me that Tim often would put lots of channels panned hard l or r of just people yammering or loose noise. It starts with noise before the first note even.
Oh, and odd arrangements and instrumentation? But with a driving rock beat? th-cam.com/video/kXGAZXXoFWw/w-d-xo.html
React to Dirty Boy
This is one of my favourite CARDIACS tunes, this and everso closely.... And.... Well all of it really
Hell yeah if you do Cardiacs again soon you should listen to signs.
Also, I'ma request Major Parkinson again here, listen to the song Baseball. Major Parkinson draws major influence from Cardiacs.
When the whole band starts playing Shepard Tones is fantastic! What a track
I think you are getting there, just enjoy the absurd excellence and creativity.
Tim Smith (vocalist/composer) uses the melodies and harmonies from sea shanties a lot. Very English
And there's not as much instrumentation as you think....
I'd love to see a tenured musician's reaction to "Leader of the Starry Skies."
Btw, Loosefish Scaprgrace hails from 1987.
Greatest band of all time
You’re completely wrong about the actual ending…. Live, it was an epic singalong…. Everyone in the pond knew all the words and sang their hearts out….. “I'm a man seeing if I can, be a bigger man and be the big world holder
And wear it on my shoulder
Confiscate all the hearts and minds of all human kind
And give a daring operation
To deflect all life's afflictions”
What an ending…. You had to be there really
This song has it all. Tremendous. Spectacular. Try and match this band
try "the duck and roger the horse"
Still want a pub called that, ^oo^
you should absolutely check out Dirty Boy
Cardiacs .. possibly one of the greatest bands EVER
"They were holding this note for a long time."
Listen to 'Dirty Boy' by Cardiacs and then you'll hear how they draw out one note..lmao
Check out Sing to God in its entirety and "The Everso Closely Guarded Line". Check out everything Tim ever made.
The comedian Stewart Lee has experimented with repetition, and talked about how repeating a joke can make it transition from funny, to unfunny, to funny again. He is known for being influenced by the Fall, who have achieved a similar effect by repeating their riffs for as much as 10 minutes, taking them from great, to a bit boring, to somehow transcendent.
Long story short but I think the repetition of the escalating riff in this song is necessary for the effect rather than merely comical. It takes listeners on a journey from "nice melody", to absurdity, then through to something quite special and magical
You might enjoy *The Breakfast Line* (and then maybe this cover on piano by Zachary Detrick th-cam.com/video/LZqkdiWbgtw/w-d-xo.html ). Cardiacs have the best covers.
For more musical jokes that sound good, try *Come Back Clammy Lammy* (which is really about a barnacle, not a clam). They squeeze more words than can fit into some verses, and then stretch out a paltry few words in others.
One thing you shouldn't miss is the "Rotten Shed" videos (of rehearsals all cooped up in a rotten shed - what could possibly go wrong?). A quick introduction to that would be *Jibber and Twitch* th-cam.com/video/OxhuQWKwbqY/w-d-xo.html (which introduces the famous mystery of the effing dog).
the way he writes all this stuff down in charts... what a musical legend man
So entertaining watching you on all the twists and turns on this song.
First time I've heard you use the word Genius to describe the Cardiacs. And absolutely right and all.💪💪💪
It's like a speeded up high school musical, played by spiteful brats on circus instruments, whilst high, viewed through a distorting mirror. It's genius.
New to this band. Dunno how they escaped me! I hear a lot of major chromatic mediants very cleverly deployed. I’m both attracted and repelled. I think it’s those chords that unsettle me. Leaning more to ‘attracted’. They’re obviously fantastic musicians. Excellent analysis.
th-cam.com/video/yZJFQAPQIEQ/w-d-xo.html
Cardiac songs are basically musical edging
Unique vocals : Mastodon : The Czar.
Prog epic, three out of four members sing(and they all have a distinct voice)
We'll see the band - different track - if the poll position keeps. Saying no more... 🙂
@@progperljungman8218 Alright, I predict THE LAST BARON.
@@pascalg16 You'll see (hopefully) 😊
Set for today 😊
Joyous
Your analogy of stretching out a joke so that the telling (rather than the punchline) becomes the funny part reminds me of the late, great Norm Macdonald on Conan: th-cam.com/video/n3LMSflEN54/w-d-xo.html
That was hilarious to listen to. 100% a great joke.
Dirty Boy next? I can tell you're intrigued.
Should review Dirty Boy!
About the exaggerated buildups to obvious punchlines you talk about... You should see that movie they made, which includes nuggets like the scene where Jim Smith fails to plug in the bass for around 5 minutes.
Now you're a pondie!
I think they were barock
Does intelligence belong in humor?
Great song. Not sure why you did Manhoo though. Easily the worst track from Sing to God. Listen to Buds and Spawn. Mind-blowing arrangement and composition.
About 9.30 excess jokes absurdity.
I have loved cardiacs since I heard rude bootleg....it sounded shroomy a bit...and for those 3 reasons mentioned for om mein host...
Little man and a house and the whole world window LP's breakfast line (maybe?)first tune side 2 would be a gooden to analyze ..it's like Floyd's atom heart mother ...yeah...comedy also...an underbelly of discent..punky
Good commentary
Yer right.. excess...ace!!keep it going cardiacs('the' optional)
1987...all spectacular 12 incher
INCLUDING(drum roll)
All spectacular
Loosefish scapegrace(...sir)
Was there another tune, I'm sure there was.
a copy of this fine 12 incher would include a beautiful lyric/credits sheet,'twixt the folds a photographic collage from a gig at the marquee,london,and the beautiful and maelstromic poem of the high seas,RAT ON RAFT...
Cheers dude!