Cardiacs
Archive

An album truly heterogeneous. Sure, it is a collection of tracks from the '77/'79 period, but the tracks almost seem to belong to a different group each. Not a five-star album when compared to the great masterpieces of rock music, but in its genre (?) it certainly reaches the highest ratings.

It starts with the intro of wacky (and insane) rock from "Aukamacic"; then immediately the explosive "Icky Qualms", in which the singer Michael Pugh showcases his considerable vocal talents. Suddenly, this sort of punk/progressive song breaks off to make way for a track clearly influenced by Zappa and richly adorned with diverse drum rolls, "Piffol Four Times". After an interlude of less than a minute, here is the longest track on the album (both in title and duration): "As Cold As Can Be In An English Sea". Here, the Cardiacs show us how they can carry a track that is not even that complex (but then again, these are the Cardiacs!) for over seven minutes without becoming boring. Every instrument marries perfectly with the others; the vocal tone perfectly renders the somewhat gloomy atmosphere of the track, and the drums never go overboard. A piece that seems recorded in our days. The arrangements are never pompous but essential and targeted to a purpose.

With the next track, "T.V.T.V.", the five of them first hit us with an angry black guitar (but not as trivial as those of certain little bands of today), then they get lost in various solos and musical dialogues that follow one another, impressing the listener with their variety. With "My Trade Mark", it feels like you've suddenly changed records and put on the Ramones. A track in full punk style, concluded by a superb guitar solo repeated endlessly. "The Obvious Identity": the Cardiacs have gone completely crazy. Michael even lets out some sadistic laughter during the song; the guitars are sick, and they play a rhythm from the house of horrors. I puzzled over for various minutes trying to describe "Piffol One Time", but I couldn't come up with any adjective or metaphor that could well convey the idea of this track: continuous time changes, passages from one musical genre to another; the only thing I can say is that the genre of this track is "Cardiacs".

The next track, "A Game For Bertie's Party", which at the beginning seems to pick up a bit of the sick atmosphere of "Piffol One Time", although in a more solemn tone, even hints at Ska. The penultimate track, "Piffol Three Times", is again a musical broth in which all the instruments take turns, as the Cardiacs know how to do. Finally, for last, the most fun and amusing track of the album: "Rock Around The Clock". But is this the Cardiacs or the good old Captain Beefheart?

Upon rereading it, I realize that this review is horrible, but I have an excuse: this album is so varied and unclassifiable that describing it in its entirety would be impossible. Similarly, it is difficult to effectively describe each individual track due to their complexity.

But let's say it: my goal was not to try to describe this album but to introduce it to you and pique your curiosity. I hope I succeeded.