Cardiacs discography

Cardiacs discography
A sextet performing on stage.
Cardiacs performing in Amsterdam in 1987
Studio albums6
Demo albums3
Live albums4
Compilation albums5
Video albums3
EPs and singles19

The English rock band Cardiacs have released six studio albums along with a number of extended plays, singles, compilations, live albums and demos. The group was formed by brothers Tim and Jim Smith in 1977 under the name Cardiac Arrest, releasing their debut single "A Bus for a Bus on the Bus" in 1979 and the demo album The Obvious Identity the following year.[1] After being renamed to Cardiacs, the band released two more cassettes, Toy World (1981) and The Seaside (1984).[2][3]

1987's Big Ship EP acted as Cardiacs' first proper recording,[4] released on their independent label The Alphabet Business Concern on which they would release all future albums.[5] Their debut studio album proper, A Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window (1988) found commercial success with its single, "Is This the Life" which peaked at number 80 on the UK Singles Chart.[6] The band's second studio album, On Land and in the Sea (1989), released to weak sales in comparison to its predecessor, but was critically praised.[7][8]

Cardiacs' third studio album, Heaven Born and Ever Bright, was released on 15 May 1992. Due to Rough Trade's bankruptcy, the album was a commercial failure. Sing to God, the band's fourth studio album, was released on 11 June 1996. It was initially poorly received,[9] but has since been remembered as one of their greatest projects.[10]

Guns (1999) was released as the band's fifth studio album which produced the single "Signs". Preceded by the release of "Ditzy Scene", the band's sixth studio album LSD remained unreleased until 2025. 2020 saw the official release of the song "Vermin Mangle" to mark the funeral of Tim Smith.[11]

Albums

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions Ref.
UK Sales
[12]		 UK Down.
[12]		 UK Phys.
[12]		 UK Vinyl
[12]		 UK Rec.
[12]		 UK Prog.
[12]		 UK Indie
[12]		 UK
Indie Brk.
[12]		 SCO
[12]
A Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window
  • Released: 21 March 1988
  • Label: Alphabet/Torso
  • Format: LP, CD, MC
 — — — — — — — — — [13]
[14]
On Land and in the Sea
  • Released: 2 May 1989
  • Label: Alphabet/Torso
  • Format: LP, CD, MC
 — — — — — 20 — 17 — [‡ 1]
Heaven Born and Ever Bright
  • Released: 15 May 1992
  • Label: Alphabet
  • Format: LP, CD, MC
 65 — 60 38 10 — 14 6 — [‡ 2]
Sing to God
  • Released: 11 June 1996
  • Label: Alphabet
  • Format: 2×CD
 — — — — — — — — —
Guns
  • Released: 21 June 1999
  • Label: Alphabet
  • Format: CD
 — — — — — — — — —
LSD
  • Released: 19 September 2025
  • Label: Alphabet
  • Format: 2×LP, 2×CD, DL
 22 8 36 — 20 5 7 2 81
"—" denotes a recording that has not charted.

Demo albums

Title Album details Notes
The Obvious Identity
(as Cardiac Arrest)
  • Released: June 1980
  • Label: self-released
  • Format: MC
  • Approximately 100 copies were produced[15]
  • Three tracks appeared on 1989's Archive Cardiacs[15]
Toy World
  • Released: March 1981
  • Label: self-released
  • Format: MC
  • Some tracks were recorded in June 1980 during The Obvious Identity sessions[15]
The Seaside
  • Released: 1984
  • Label: Alphabet
  • Format: MC

Live albums

Title Album details Notes
Rude Bootleg
  • Released: 24 August 1986
  • Label: Alphabet
  • Format: LP, CD, MC[‡ 5]
  • Documents the band's 1986 Reading performance, featuring tracks from 1988's A Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window[17]
Cardiacs Live
  • Released: 31 October 1988
  • Label: Alphabet
  • Format: LP, CD
  • Recorded at the Paradiso in Amsterdam on 15 May 1988[‡ 6]
  • Back cover photo was taken at the Town and Country Club in London[‡ 7]
All That Glitters Is a Mares Nest
  • Released: 1 June 1995
  • Label: Alphabet
  • Format: CD
The Special Garage Concerts
  • Released: 24 September 2005
  • Label: Alphabet
  • Format: 2×CD

Compilation albums

Title Album details Notes
Archive Cardiacs
  • Released: 1989
  • Label: Alphabet
  • Format: MC
  • A compilation of early Cardiacs demos and previously unreleased instrumentals[18][15]
  • Reissued on CD in 1995 and on vinyl in 2018[‡ 13][‡ 14][19]
Songs for Ships and Irons
  • Comprising 1987's Big Ship EP and other non-album tracks[4]
Sampler
  • Released: 1995
  • Label: Alphabet
  • Format: CD
  • Limited release sampler containing a guide to the Cardiacs discography[‡ 17]
Cardiacs and Affectionate Friends
(with various artists)
  • Released: 19 May 2001
  • Label: Org Records/All My Eye and Betty Martin Music
  • Format: CD
  • Consists of songs by Cardiacs, side projects and past band members[14]
Greatest Hits
  • Released: 2 April 2002
  • Label: Alphabet
  • Format: CD
  • Features the exclusive track "Faster Than Snakes with a Ball and a Chain"[20]

Video albums

Title Album details Notes
Seaside Treats
  • Released: 31 December 1984
  • Label: Jettisoundz/Alphabet
  • Format: VHS
All That Glitters Is a Maresnest
  • Released: 1992
  • Label: Fotodisk
  • Format: VHS
  • Released on DVD by the Alphabet Business Concern in 2013[‡ 18]
Some Fairytales From the Rotten Shed
  • Released: 7 September 2017
  • Label: Alphabet
  • Format: DVD
  • Composed of 2003 rehearsal footage of the band's pre-1984 material[22]
  • Clips uploaded to YouTube preceding full release[23]

EPs and singles

Title Release details Description Peak chart positions Album Ref.
UK
[12]		 UK Sales
[12]		 UK Down.
[12]
Cardiac Arrest E.P.
(or the "A Bus for a Bus on the Bus" single)		 — — — None
Seaside Treats
  • Released: 1985
  • Label: Alphabet
  • Format: 12-inch
 — — — The Seaside
Big Ship
  • Released: 27 January 1987
  • Label: Alphabet
  • Format: 12-inch
 — — — None originally; later included on Songs for Ships and Irons [34]
[35]
[31]
"There's Too Many Irons in the Fire"
  • Released: 12 August 1987
  • Label: Alphabet
  • Format: 12-inch
 — — — None originally; later included on Songs for Ships and Irons [‡ 20]
[34]
Radio 1 Sessions / The Evening Show — — — None
"Is This the Life"
  • Released: 1988
  • Label: Alphabet/Torso
  • Format: 7-inch, 12-inch
 80 — — A Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window
"Susannah's Still Alive"
  • Released: 5 September 1988
  • Label: Alphabet
  • Format: 7-inch, 12-inch
 — — — None; B-sides included on Songs for Ships and Irons [36]
"Baby Heart Dirt"
  • Released: 10 April 1989
  • Label: Alphabet/Torso
  • Format: 7-inch, 12-inch
 — — — On Land and in the Sea
"Day Is Gone"
  • Released: 28 October 1991
  • Label: Alphabet
  • Format: 12-inch, CD
 — — — Heaven Born and Ever Bright [37]
"Bellyeye"
  • Released: 1995
  • Label: Org
  • Format: CD
 — — — Sing to God [‡ 21]
"Manhoo"
  • Released: 1996
  • Label: Alphabet
  • Format: CD
 — — — Sing to God
"Odd Even"
  • Released: 1996
  • Label: Alphabet
  • Format: CD
 — — — Sing to God
Cardiacs Meet Camp Blackfoot
(or the "Sleep All Eyes Open" single)
  • Released: 1999
  • Label: Org
  • Format: CD
 — — — Guns
"Signs"
  • Released: 2 August 1999
  • Label: Alphabet
  • Format: CD
 — — — Guns
"Ditzy Scene"
  • Released: 5 November 2007
  • Label: Org
  • Format: CD
 — — — LSD (tracks reworked)
"Vermin Mangle"
  • Released: 1 September 2020
  • Label: Alphabet
  • Format: DL
 — — — None
Cardiacs E.P. — 71 67 None
"Woodeneye"
  • Released: 1 August 2025
  • Label: Alphabet
  • Format: DL
 — 56 54 LSD
"Downup"
  • Released: 29 August 2025
  • Label: Alphabet
  • Format: DL
 — — — LSD
"Volob"
  • Released: 17 September 2025
  • Label: Alphabet
  • Format: DL
 — — — LSD
"—" denotes a recording that has not charted.

Music videos

Title Director Album Ref.
"A Little Man and a House" Tim Smith The Seaside and Seaside Treats
"R.E.S." Tim Smith
"To Go Off and Things" Tim Smith
"Tarred and Feathered" Big Ship
"Is This the Life" Stephen Graham A Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window [‡ 22]
"Susannah's Still Alive" Steve Payne None
"Baby Heart Dirt" On Land and in the Sea
"Day Is Gone" Heaven Born and Ever Bright [‡ 23]
"There's Too Many Irons in the Fire" Songs for Ships and Irons comp
"All His Geese Are Swans" Songs for Ships and Irons comp

References

  1. ↑ Alvin, Mark (22 July 2020). "Tim Smith, the Cardiacs frontman, dies at 59". Music Times. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  2. ↑ Kitching, Sean (24 July 2020). "Remembering Tim Smith Of Cardiacs". The Quietus. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  3. ↑ Kitching, Sean (3 July 2013). "A Little Man & A House & The Whole World Window By Cardiacs Revisited". The Quietus. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  4. 1 2 Lawson, Dom (2 March 2021). "Cardiacs' best albums - a buyers guide". Louder. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  5. ↑ Ewing, Jerry (22 July 2020). "Cardiacs singer Tim Smith dead at 59". Prog. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  6. ↑ Cashmore, Pete (2 June 2015). "Cult heroes: Tim Smith led the Cardiacs in the face of hatred – and much love". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 3 June 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  7. ↑ "Cardiacs News » Album Reviews - ON LAND AND IN THE SEA". Cardiacs.com. Archived from the original on 18 November 2007. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  8. ↑ Unsworth, Cathi (22 April 1989). "Cardiacs 'On Land and in the Sea'". Sounds.
  9. ↑ "Dancing About Architechture [sic]: the PIEmag * C A R D I A C S * - interview". TheCorroseum.org. 1996. Archived from the original on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  10. ↑ Kitching, Sean (4 July 2014). "Reviews: Cardiacs: Sing To God (Reissue)". The Quietus. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
  11. ↑ Richards, Sam (2 September 2020). "Hear a previously unreleased Cardiacs song, "Vermin Mangle"". Uncut. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "CARDIACS | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  13. ↑ Carlson, Dean. "Cardiacs - A Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  14. 1 2 Sgrignoli, Marco (20 July 2022). "Cardiacs - biografia, recensioni, streaming, discografia, foto". Ondarock (in Italian). Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  15. 1 2 3 4 "CARDIACS: History". Pete's Cardiacs Site. July 1999. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  16. ↑ Kitching, Sean (3 November 2015). "Cardiacs". The Quietus. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  17. ↑ Briandroid (3 November 2017). "Rude Bootleg – Cardiacs Live, Reading Festival 1986". Backseat Mafia. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  18. ↑ Lawson, Dom (11 August 2014). "Kavus Torabi's Guide To Cardiacs". Prog. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  19. ↑ "Archive Cardiacs: LP". The Consultant's Memorabilia Collection. Shopify. 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  20. 1 2 Reed, Nick (20 May 2014). "Once In A Lifetime: On Land And In The Sea By Cardiacs Revisited". The Quietus. Retrieved 19 April 2022. their Greatest Hits package included the excellent 'Faster Than Snakes With A Ball And Chain', and in 2007 a 3-song EP called Ditzy Scene appeared, teasing an upcoming double album that was to be called LSD.
  21. ↑ "Seaside Treats (1984)". Trakt. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  22. ↑ Hamnett, Alun (8 November 2017). "Some Fairytales From The Rotten Shed". Record Collector. Archived from the original on 2 September 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  23. ↑ Worral, Sean (7 September 2017). "ORGAN PREVIEW: Cardiacs, Some Fairytales From The Rotten Shed, rejoice for a new release is upon us…". Organ. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  24. ↑ Larkin, Collin (1997) [1992]. The Virgin Encyclopedia of Eighties Music. Virgin Books. p. 93. ISBN 9780753501597.
  25. ↑ Kitching, Sean (24 July 2020). "Remembering Tim Smith Of Cardiacs". The Quietus. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  26. ↑ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (22 July 2020). "Tim Smith, frontman of cult band Cardiacs, dies aged 59". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  27. ↑ Demalon, Tom. "Cardiacs Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 21 August 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
  28. 1 2 Benac, Eric (27 August 2021). The Cardiacs: Every Album, Every Song. On Track. Sonicbond Publishing. p. 153. ISBN 978-1-78952-131-3.
  29. ↑ Kitching, Sean (22 February 2025). "Deep Digs: Jim Smith of Cardiacs on their Big Book & New Album". The Quietus. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  30. ↑ Belcher, David (17 January 1987). "Instant arrest by the Cardiacs". The Glasgow Herald. p. 8. Retrieved 19 January 2023 – via Google Books.
  31. 1 2 Lawson, Dom (2 March 2021). "Cardiacs' best albums - a buyers guide". Louder. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  32. ↑ Sacher, Andrew (17 September 2020). "Napalm Death's Shane Embury talks Sonic Youth, Cardiacs & more music that changed his life". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  33. ↑ Rentoul, John (31 March 2018). "The Top 10: Songs on Albums That Don't Sound Like the Others". The Independent. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  34. 1 2 3 Benjamin, Stuart (12 July 2015). "Echoes of the Past: Cardiacs – Guns". Echoes and Dust. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  35. ↑ Belcher, David (17 January 1987). "Instant arrest by the Cardiacs". The Glasgow Herald. p. 8. Retrieved 19 January 2023 – via Google Books.
  36. ↑ Adams, Greg. "Shangri-La: A Tribute to the Kinks - Various Artists". AllMusic. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  37. ↑ Lawson, Dom (2 March 2021). "Cardiacs' best albums - a buyers guide". Louder. Retrieved 19 April 2022.

Primary sources

In the text, these references are preceded by a double dagger (‡):

  1. ↑ "The Cardiacs Museum - Tim Smith Tribute Website » Yousletter 13". Retrieved 4 June 2026 – via Cardiacs.org.
  2. ↑ "The Cardiacs Museum - Tim Smith Tribute Website » Yousletter 3". Retrieved 4 June 2026 – via Cardiacs.org.
  3. ↑ The Seaside (1990 reissue) (album liner notes). Cardiacs. Alphabet Business Concern. 1990. ALPH 013.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. ↑ "The Cardiacs Museum - Tim Smith Tribute Website » Yousletter 22". Retrieved 5 June 2026 – via Cardiacs.org.
  5. ↑ "The Cardiacs Museum - Tim Smith Tribute Website » Yousletter 27". Retrieved 5 June 2026 – via Cardiacs.org.
  6. ↑ Cardiacs Live (album liner notes). Cardiacs. Alphabet Business Concern. 1988. ALPH LP010.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ↑ Cardiacs Live (album liner notes). Cardiacs. Alphabet Business Concern. 1988. ALPH LP010.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ↑ All That Glitters Is a Mares Nest (CD liner notes). Cardiacs. Alphabet Business Concern. 1995. ALPH CD018.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ↑ All That Glitters Is a Maresnest (VHS liner notes). Cardiacs. Fotodisk. 1990. LFV 116.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ↑ The Special Garage Concerts (CD liner notes). Cardiacs. Alphabet Business Concern. 2005. ALPH DCD031.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ↑ "The Special Garage Concerts Vol I − Cardiacs". iTunes Store (Apple). Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  12. ↑ "The Special Garage Concerts Vol II − Cardiacs". iTunes Store (Apple). Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  13. ↑ Archive Cardiacs (1995 reissue) (CD liner notes). Cardiacs. Alphabet Business Concern. 1995. ALPH CD000.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ↑ Cardiacs Live (album liner notes). Cardiacs. Alphabet Business Concern. 1988. ALPH LP010.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ↑ "The Cardiacs Museum - Tim Smith Tribute Website » Yousletter 1". Retrieved 4 June 2026 – via Cardiacs.org.
  16. ↑ "The Cardiacs Museum - Tim Smith Tribute Website » Yousletter 19". Retrieved 5 June 2026 – via Cardiacs.org.
  17. ↑ Sampler (CD liner notes). Cardiacs. Alphabet Business Concern. 1995. ALPH CD019.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ↑ All That Glitters Is a Maresnest (DVD liner notes). Cardiacs. Alphabet Business Concern. 2013. ALPH DVD 001.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ↑ "The Cardiacs Museum - Tim Smith Tribute Website » Yousletter 23". Retrieved 5 June 2026 – via Cardiacs.org.
  20. ↑ "The Cardiacs Museum - Tim Smith Tribute Website » Yousletter 11". Retrieved 4 June 2026 – via Cardiacs.org.
  21. ↑ "The Cardiacs Museum - Tim Smith Tribute Website » Yousletter 8". Retrieved 4 June 2026 – via Cardiacs.org.
  22. ↑ "The Cardiacs Museum - Tim Smith Tribute Website » Yousletter 28". Retrieved 5 June 2026 – via Cardiacs.org.
  23. ↑ "CARDIACS - DAY IS GONE (HD VERSION, 1991)". abcglobus. 3 July 2025 [September 1991]. Retrieved 5 June 2026 – via YouTube.
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