CARDIACS – Angleworm Angel (1996)

Cardiacs are an English experimental rock band formed by Tim Smith (guitar and lead vocals) and his brother Jim (bass, backing vocals) in 1977. The band’s sound fused circus, baroque pop and medieval music with progressive rock and post-punk, adding other elements like nursery rhymes and sea shanties. Tim Smith was the primary lyricist, noted for his complex and innovative compositional style. He and his brother were the only constant members in the band’s regularly changing lineup.

“Angleworm Angel” belongs to Sing to God (1996), the fourth studio album by Cardiacs. Sing to God is their first album with drummer Bob Leith and their second as a four-piece. It was recorded throughout 1995, breaking a hiatus by the band that had lasted since the band’s previous album Heaven Born and Ever Bright (1992). During writing and recording, Jon Poole took a greater role than before, contributing to many songs written by band leader Tim Smith, and writing some of his own. The band decided to create a double album to encompass the great wealth of material written after their previous album. As with the band’s previous albums, it presents a unique sound, and is seen as more eclectic than the band’s previous albums, with one reviewer describing the record as “essentially [taking] everything Cardiacs had always been and [ramping] it up to maximum,” and another saying the album was where “Smith’s ability to express the music inside his head really began to transcend any sort of identifiable genre and turned Cardiacs into something truly unique.”

[Verse 1] Reversal of despair Bright young spark he showing flair Loosens flesh from machine Granted it obscene Thrust his fists Fisting posts Still insist he sees the ghost Of what we try to see In darkened rooms and endless laughter Lock into theories old Existance of all creatures told Human eyes to snatch a glimpse Of our lifes genesis Lust for knife Such is life Love for every kind of strife Angleworm bit in half Fellow eaten raw and helpless

[Chorus] Perfect it’s not as easy to find The good in ourselves That we leave behind Forever sublime And never quite comprehend Why that is why we try and we try Until do us die To pull up the soil And plant greener seeds Perfection an ultimate

[Verse 2] Aiming high cannon my Fear young failure to the sky Confidence leaknesses dominate my mind Out of blue into black Ideas meets oblivion Endless destructible Delusions of defeat and anguish

[Chorus] Perfect it’s not as easy to find The good in ourselves That we leave behind Forever sublime And never quite comprehend Why that is why we try and we try Until do us die To pull up the soil And plant greener seeds Perfection an ultimate

[Chorus] Perfect it’s not as easy to find The good in ourselves That we leave behind Forever sublime And never quite comprehend Why that is why we try and we try Until do us die To pull up the soil And plant greener seeds Perfection an ultimate

[Chorus] Perfect it’s not as easy to find The good in ourselves That we leave behind Forever sublime And never quite comprehend Why that is why we try and we try Until do us die To pull up the soil And plant greener seeds Perfection an ultimate