I’ve been listening to reissues of Cardiacs’ albums “The Seaside” and “Songs for Ships and Irons.”
This band’s songs… One second they’re going in one direction, then not long after, they’ve flipped the tables on you, then they do it again. They do unexpected things.
Sometimes, they play around with time signatures and Hemiola, like in
R.E.S.
I was listening to the 2003 Rehearsal version of
Visiting Hours, and it started like a 70s Prog Rock song, then I didn’t know what the heck was going on, then the lyrics started. Then it relaxes out, then it goes back into chaos and concern. It then ends in a way I didn’t know songs could end. Then, Tim ends up barking at his brother in his fake bullying antics at the end.
Sometimes, you might wonder what the hell you watched and heard, like in
Tarred and Feathered, which, the music changes multiple times before it’s over.
Then if you’re like me, you’re curious of the band the first day, and you might fall asleep and dreaming of one of the band members who gets mad at you for whatever reason you don’t really know,
and makes you feel bad, because you asked what his name is. Why am I still interested in them? But yet, I am.
Oh, and they did a cover song
once. It was
Suzannah’s Still Alive, and it’s an upbeat and playful sounding cover compared to the original.