Cardiacs discography

Cardiacs discography
Cardiacs performing in Amsterdam in 1987
Studio albums	5 (and 1 upcoming)
Demo albums	3
Live albums	4
Compilation albums	5
Video albums	3
EPs and singles	19

The English rock band Cardiacs have released five studio albums along with a number of extened 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 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 has yet to be released. 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						Notes
		UK Sales [12]	UK Physical [12]	UK Vinyl [12]	UK Record Store [12]	UK Independent [12]	UK Independent Breakers [12]
A Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window	Released: 21 March 1988 Label: Alphabet Business Concern/Torso (ALPH 007) Format: LP, CD, MC	—	—	—	—	—	—	Reissued on CD in 1995 including the B-side "Eating in Bed" in the tracklist [13] 25th Anniversary Edition released in 2013 with a booklet containing the original 1988 artwork and lyrics [14] [3] A remastered vinyl edition was released in 2023. The special edition was presented with a 52-page casebound book, reproductions of Tim Smith's musical scores, and three CDs of additional material such as radio sessions.
On Land and in the Sea	Released: 2 May 1989 Label: Alphabet Business Concern/Torso (ALPH 012) Format: LP, CD, MC	—	—	—	—	—	17	Vinyl releases remove the track "Horse Head" [15]
Heaven Born and Ever Bright	Released: 15 May 1992 Label: Alphabet Business Concern/Rough Trade (ALPH 017) Format: LP, CD, MC	65	60	38	10	14	6	The first Cardiacs album as a four-piece [16] Remastered and reissued in 1995 with new cover art [17]
Sing to God	Released: 11 June 1996 Label: Alphabet Business Concern (ALPH 022) Format: 2×CD	—	—	—	—	—	—	Originally released as a limited edition double CD and as two separate albums [18] Reissued on vinyl gatefold in 2014 [19]
Guns	Released: 21 June 1999 Label: Alphabet Business Concern (ALPH 027) Format: CD	—	—	—	—	—	—	Cardiacs' final album before dissolution in 2008 and the last released in Tim Smith's lifetime [20] [21] The band's third and final album as a four-piece [20] Intended to be followed by an album that was never completed [22] Reissued on vinyl in 2015 [20]
LSD	Releases: 19 September 2025 [23] Label: Alphabet Business Concern Format: 2×LP, 2×CD, DL	To be released						Originally planned to release in October 2008 [24] The band's second double album following Sing to God [25]
"—" 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 [26] Three tracks appeared on 1989's Archive Cardiacs [26]
Toy World	Released: March 1981 Label: self-released Format: MC	Some tracks were recorded in June 1980 during The Obvious Identity sessions [26]
The Seaside	Released: 1984 Label: Alphabet (ALPH 001) Format: MC	Remastered and reissued on LP, CD and cassette in 1995 excluding four tracks [27] Released as part of The Seaside: Original Edition boxset in 2015 [28]

Live albums

Title	Album details	Notes
Rude Bootleg	Released: 24 August 1986 Label: Alphabet Business Concern (ALPH 005) Format: LP, CD, MC	Documents the band's 1986 Reading performance, featuring tracks from 1988's A Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window [29]
Cardiacs Live	Released: 31 October 1988 Label: Alphabet Business Concern (ALPH 010) Format: LP, CD	Recorded at the Paradiso in Amsterdam on 15 May 1988 [30] Back cover photo was taken at the Town and Country Club in London [30]
All That Glitters Is a Mares Nest	Released: 1 June 1995 Label: Alphabet Business Concern (ALPH 018) Format: CD	Recorded at the Salisbury Arts Centre in Salisbury on 30 June 1990 [31] Originally released as a video in 1990 [32]
The Special Garage Concerts	Released: 24 September 2005 Label: Alphabet Business Concern (ALPH 031) Format: 2×CD	Recorded at the Garage in London in Autumn 2003 [33] Two volumes originally released separately [34] [35]

Compilation albums

Title	Album details	Notes
Archive Cardiacs	Released: 1989 Label: Alphabet Business Concern (ALPH 000) Format: MC	A compilation of early Cardiacs demos and previously unreleased instrumentals [36] [26] Reissued on CD in 1995 and on vinyl in 2018 [37] [38]
Songs for Ships and Irons	Released: 16 September 1991 Label: Alphabet Business Concern (ALPH 014) Format: LP, CD, MC	Comprising 1987's Big Ship EP and other non-album tracks [4]
Sampler	Released: 1995 Label: Alphabet Business Concern (ALPH 019) Format: CD	Limited release sampler containing a guide to the Cardiacs discography [39]
Cardiacs and Affectionate Friends (with various artists)	Released: 19 May 2001 Label: Org Records/All My Eye and Betty Martin Music (ORG 228) Format: CD	Consists of songs by Cardiacs, side projects and past band members [40]
Greatest Hits	Released: 2 April 2002 Label: Alphabet Business Concern (ALPH 029) Format: CD	Features the exclusive track "Faster Than Snakes with a Ball and a Chain" [25]

Video albums

Title	Album details	Notes
Seaside Treats	Released: 31 December 1984 Label: Jettisoundz/Alphabet Business Concern (ALPH 025V) Format: VHS	Featuring alternative comedy sketches by the band and three music videos [41]
All That Glitters Is a Maresnest	Released: 1992 Label: Fotodisk (LFV 116) Format: VHS	Released on DVD by the Alphabet Business Concern in 2013 [42]
Some Fairytales From the Rotten Shed	Released: 7 September 2017 Label: Alphabet Business Concern (ALPH DVD 002) Format: DVD	Composed of 2003 rehearsal footage of the band's pre-1984 material [43] Clips uploaded to YouTube preceding full release [44]

EPs and singles

Title	Release details	Peak chart positions			Album	Notes
		UK [12]	UK Sales [12]	UK Downloads [12]
Cardiac Arrest E.P. (or the "A Bus for a Bus on the Bus" single, as Cardiac Arrest)	Released: 1979 Label: Torch Format: 7-inch single	—	—	—	None
Seaside Treats	Released: 1985 Label: Alphabet (ALPH 002) Format: 12-inch	—	—	—	The Seaside	Consists of four songs from 1984's The Seaside, including "Hope Day" which was excluded from the video
Big Ship	Released: 27 January 1987 Label: Alphabet Business Concern (ALPH 004) Format: 12-inch	—	—	—	None originally; later included on Songs for Ships and Irons	The first non-demo release by the band [4] Reissued on 1991's Songs for Ships and Irons [4]
"There's Too Many Irons in the Fire" / "All Spectacular"	Released: 1987 Label: Alphabet Business Concern Format: 12-inch	—	—	—	None originally; later included on Songs for Ships and Irons	Was included on Songs for Ships and Irons [45] Came with a 4-page lyric sheet and a photo collage [46]
Radio 1 Sessions / The Evening Show	Released: 1988 Label: Strange Fruit/Nighttracks (SFNT 013) Format: 12-inch	—	—	—	None	BBC Radio 1 session with Janice Long on 29 November 1987, first transmitted the following day [47]
"Is This the Life"	Released: 1988 Label: Alphabet Business Concern/Torso Format: 7-inch, 12-inch	80	—	—	A Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window	Alphabet was not able to satisfy demands for the record after its release on Radio 1 [48] Released in the Netherlands by Torso [49]
"Susannah's Still Alive"	Released: 1989 Label: Alphabet Business Concern Format: 7-inch, 12-inch	—	—	—	None; B-sides included on Songs for Ships and Irons	A cover of the Kinks' Dave Davies later included on the compilation Shangri-La: A Tribute to the Kinks [50]
"Baby Heart Dirt"	Released: 1989 Label: Alphabet Business Concern/Torso Format: 7-inch, 12-inch	—	—	—	On Land and in the Sea	Released in the Netherlands by Torso [51]
"Day Is Gone"	Released: 1991 Label: Alphabet Business Concern Format: 12-inch, CD	—	—	—	Heaven Born and Ever Bright	Four track EP preceding the album's release [4] Reissued in a limited capacity on CD in 2015 [52]
"Bellyeye"	Released: 1995 Label: Org Format: CD	—	—	—	Sing to God	Released by the Organ magazine's record label Org Records [53]
"Manhoo"	Released: 1996 Label: Alphabet Business Concern Format: CD	—	—	—	Sing to God	First two in a planned set of four limited edition CD-singles from Sing to God [54] [55]
"Odd Even"	Released: 1996 Label: Alphabet Business Concern Format: CD	—	—	—	Sing to God
Cardiacs Meet Camp Blackfoot(or the "Sleep All Eyes Open" single)	Released: 1999 Label: Org Format: CD	—	—	—	Guns	Limited split single with the English band Camp Blackfoot [56] Cardiacs side features "Sleep All Eyes Open" from Guns along with three songs from 1996's Sing to God, while Camp Blackfoot's features demos of songs from Critical Seed vs. The Spartan Society (1999) [56]
"Signs"	Released: 1999 Label: Alphabet Business Concern Format: CD	—	—	—	Guns	Includes an instrumental for the song "Dog Like Sparky" from Sing to God [57]
"Ditzy Scene"	Released: 2007 Label: Org Format: CD	—	—	—	LSD (tracks reworked)	Last Cardiacs release in Tim Smith's lifetime [58] Limited edition release on Organ's single series [59]
"Vermin Mangle"	Released: 2020 Label: Alphabet Business Concern Format: DL	—	—	—	None	Cardiacs' first material since their 2008 indefinite hiatus [60] Released as an online free download through Bandcamp [61]
Cardiacs E.P.	Released: 2025 Label: Melodic Virtue Format: 7-inch, DL	—	71	67	None	Vinyl 7-inch record released exclusively in Cardiacs: A Big Book and a Band and the Whole World Window Previously unreleased track "Aukamakic / Dead Mouse" from the sessions of Cardiac Arrest E.P. as well as "Faster Than Snakes with a Ball and a Chain", a track previously unreleased on vinyl which was originally intended for Guns and appeared on Greatest Hits [62]
"Woodeneye"	Released: 2025 Label: Alphabet Business Concern Format: DL	—	56	54	LSD
"Downup"	Released: 2025 Label: Alphabet Business Concern Format: DL	—	—	—	LSD
"—" denotes a recording that has not charted.

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. 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. "CARDIACS | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 27 April 2022.
13. A Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window (1995 reissue) (CD liner notes). Cardiacs. Alphabet Business Concern. 1995. ALPH CD007.
14. "A Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window: CD". The Consultant's Memorabilia Collection. Shopify . Retrieved 18 April 2022.
15. On Land and in the Sea (LP liner notes). Cardiacs. Alphabet Business Concern. 1989. ALPH LP012.
16. Scott, Danny (April 1992). "Cardiacs - Heaven Born and Ever Bright". Select . p. 65. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
17. Heaven Born and Ever Bright (1995 reissue) (CD liner notes). Cardiacs. Alphabet Business Concern. 1995. ALPH 017.
18. Sing to God - Parts One and Two (CD liner notes). Cardiacs. Alphabet Business Concern. 1996. ALPH CD023 / ALPH CD024.
19. Bland, Benjamin (10 July 2014). "Album Review: Cardiacs - Sing to God (reissue)". Drowned in Sound . Archived from the original on 1 October 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
20. Benjamin, Stuart (12 July 2015). "Echoes of the Past: Cardiacs – Guns". Echoes and Dust. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
21. Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (22 July 2020). "Tim Smith, frontman of cult band Cardiacs, dies aged 59". The Guardian . Retrieved 18 April 2022.
22. Smith, Tim (1 July 2007). "Cardiacs Official Website » Your Vexed Questions October 2005". Archived from the original on 1 July 2007. Retrieved 7 April 2018. "Silvery" is a song that we started recording with a whole bunch of others in about 1999–2000. Things got broken and we couldn't finish the album. [...] But, we might put it out one day as it was left. All broken and unfinished.
23. "LSD - Album by Cardiacs". The Alphabet Business Concern. Retrieved 31 July 2025– via Apple Music.
24. Mr. Spencer (20 April 2011). "The Cardiacs - an epic overview by Mr. Spencer with help from Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon and Captain Sensible". Louder Than War . Retrieved 27 June 2022.
25. 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.
26. "CARDIACS: History". Pete's Cardiacs Site. July 1999. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
27. The Seaside (1990 reissue) (album liner notes). Cardiacs. Alphabet Business Concern. 1990. ALPH 013.
28. Kitching, Sean (3 November 2015). "Cardiacs". The Quietus . Retrieved 20 April 2022.
29. Briandroid (3 November 2017). "Rude Bootleg – Cardiacs Live, Reading Festival 1986". Backseat Mafia. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
30. Cardiacs Live (album liner notes). Cardiacs. Alphabet Business Concern. 1988. ALPH LP010.
31. All That Glitters Is a Mares Nest (CD liner notes). Cardiacs. Alphabet Business Concern. 1995. ALPH CD018.
32. All That Glitters Is a Maresnest (VHS liner notes). Cardiacs. Fotodisk. 1990. LFV 116.
33. The Special Garage Concerts (CD liner notes). Cardiacs. Alphabet Business Concern. 2005. ALPH DCD031.
34. "The Special Garage Concerts Vol I − Cardiacs". iTunes Store (Apple). Retrieved 8 May 2022.
35. "The Special Garage Concerts Vol II − Cardiacs". iTunes Store (Apple). Retrieved 8 May 2022.
36. Lawson, Dom (11 August 2014). "Kavus Torabi's Guide To Cardiacs". Prog . Retrieved 19 April 2022.
37. Archive Cardiacs (1995 reissue) (CD liner notes). Cardiacs. Alphabet Business Concern. 1995. ALPH CD000.
38. "Archive Cardiacs: LP". The Consultant's Memorabilia Collection. Shopify. 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
39. Sampler (CD liner notes). Cardiacs. Alphabet Business Concern. 1995. ALPH CD019.
40. Sgrignoli, Marco (20 July 2022). "Cardiacs - biografia, recensioni, streaming, discografia, foto". Ondarock (in Italian). Retrieved 23 July 2022.
41. "Seaside Treats (1984)". Trakt. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
42. All That Glitters Is a Maresnest (DVD liner notes). Cardiacs. Alphabet Business Concern. 2013. ALPH DVD 001.
43. 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.
44. 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.
45. Songs for Ships and Irons (Album liner notes). Cardiacs. Alphabet Business Concern. 1991. ALPH 014.
46. "There's Too Many Irons in the Fire" / "All Spectacular" (Vinyl liner notes). Cardiacs. Alphabet Business Concern. 1987. ALPH 006.
47. Radio 1 Sessions / The Evening Show (Vinyl liner notes). Cardiacs. Strange Fruit Records. 1988. AREC028.
48. 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.
49. "Is This the Life?" (Vinyl liner notes). Cardiacs. Torso. 1988. TORSO 12060.
50. Adams, Greg. "Shangri-La: A Tribute to the Kinks - Various Artists". AllMusic . Retrieved 27 April 2022.
51. "Baby Heart Dirt" (Vinyl liner notes). Cardiacs. Torso. 1989. TORSO 12120.
52. "Day Is Gone" (2015 reissue) (CD liner notes). Cardiacs. Alphabet Business Concern. 2015. ALPHCD015.
53. "Bellyeye" (CD liner notes). Cardiacs. Org Records. 1995. Organ011CD.
54. "Manhoo" (CD liner notes). Cardiacs. Alphabet Business Concern. 1996. ALPH CDS025.
55. "Odd Even" (CD liner notes). Cardiacs. Alphabet Business Concern. 1996. ALPH CDS026.
56. Cardiacs Meet Camp Blackfoot (CD liner notes). Cardiacs and Camp Blackfoot. Org Records. 1999. ORG056cd.
57. "Signs" (CD liner notes). Cardiacs. Alphabet Business Concern. 1999. ALPH CD028.
58. Reilly, Nick (22 July 2020). "The Cardiacs' Tim Smith has died at the age of 59". NME . Retrieved 27 April 2022.
59. "ORG RECORDS OFFICIAL PAGES". Organ . 3 November 2007. Archived from the original on 11 November 2007. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
60. Sacher, Andrew (1 September 2020). "Cardiacs put out previously unreleased song "Vermin Mangle" to honor Tim Smith". BrooklynVegan . Retrieved 18 April 2022.
61. Kitching, Sean (1 September 2020). "Previously Unheard Cardiacs Track Released". The Quietus . Retrieved 27 April 2022.
62. Worrall, Sean (1 October 2024). "Organ Thing: "Cardiacs: A Big Book and a Band and the Whole World Window" is launched today, it is a big book, it is a rather splendid thing indeed…". Organ . Retrieved 1 October 2024.

External links

• Cardiacs on Bandcamp
• Cardiacs discography at AllMusic
• Cardiacs on Discogs