Cardiacs – Is This The Life
(The Alphabet Business Concern Records 1988 ALPH008SP)
UK Pressing
Sleeve & Vinyl in Nr MINT condition
Cardiacs were an English rock band formed in 1977, originally as Cardiac Arrest, led by Tim Smith. Noted for their complex, varied and intense compositional style and for their eccentric, theatrical stage shows, they have been hailed as an influence by bands as diverse as Blur, Faith No More and Radiohead.
Cardiacs have released eight studio albums plus a number of live albums, compilation albums and singles between 1980 and 2007, and are best known for the 1988 minor hit single “Is This the Life?” They are also noted for attracting strongly diverse responses: they have remained one of Britain’s leading cult rock bands during their four-decade-spanning career, but have also attracted virulent critical attack (including a lengthy editorial ban from the British music magazine New Musical Express).
The band ended following the 2008 hospitalisation of Tim Smith after a heart attack and series of strokes and his subsequent death in 2020.
“Is This the Life” is the third single from Cardiacs and their best known. It is from the album A Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window.
This is the third time the track has been recorded. Other versions were included on Toy World and The Seaside (first version). It also briefly attained chart success (peaking at number 80) after being played on various Radio One shows. The Torso version of the 7″ is exactly the same as the Alphabet release although it comes in a paper sleeve instead of a cardboard one. Only the Torso 12″ differs in both track listing and cover design.
Track listing
7″
- “Is This the Life?”
- “I’m Eating in Bed”
Lineup
- Tim Smith – Guitar and Vocals
- Jim Smith – Bass
- Sarah Smith – Sax
- William.D.Drake – Keyboards
- Dominic Luckman – Drums
- Tim Quy – Percussion
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