CARDIACS
Sampler (Alphabet Business Concern)
Reviewed by Jason Thornberry

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A decent starting-point for Americans into quirky English bands who languish in obscurity. At home they released eleven studio albums, opened for Blur, and suffered an inexplicable British 'media blackout'. In the United States, if you've heard about them, you'd be lucky to stumble across this "Sampler" like I did. Ranging from their late 70's origins to the double "Sing to God" cd they brought out in 1996, this cd boasts thirteen glimpses into the world of major-domo Tim Smith and band, which includes live bits and tracks by side-projects the Sea Nymphs, and Oceanland World. Someone please go to cardiacs.com, and buy all of their albums. Shouldn't Ricky Martin trade places with these geniuses? As a whole the entire cd stands out, with their earlier work containing a more prog-core vibe than more straight-forward-yet-still-weird songs like standout "Is This The Life." Fantastic.

© 2000 - Jason Thornberry