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BANDS: Punk
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Cardia:
Self-Titled
D.I.Y. meets disillusioned memories of the tormented unfulfillingness of previous bands is the back-drop for this self-produced/self-recorded/self-marketed debut from Cardia. Besides singer Ian Love's last name, the true reference of the band's name is a heart that bleeds and bleeds, especially on tracks like "Love Loss," where a series of mixed emotions such as depression, rejection, confusion and anticipation are swirled together like the swishing of red, burgundy wine around a glass while coping with the loss of a special person in ones life. Opening track titles such as "Crash" and "Stars" might make you think of Dave Matthews Band songs, but these songs actually come through on their titles' promises. You really do experience what you would feel if your spaceship were to be spun around at light speed while listening to the Flaming Lips in the cockpit. These songs are given the space-rock treatment due to extra-terrestrial drummer Andy Action, who is from a galaxy far away although no one is certain which galaxy it is exactly. The Flaming Lips are indeed a relatively big influence for a band with unexpected roots (2 Skinnee J's, Rival Schools, Shudder To Think, The Verve Pipe). This is the case especially on "Our Love is Real," if only because of the opening melodys close resemblance to "Do You Realize" from Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. Another obvious influence is The Beatles, where during "Sweet Return," there is a melody halfway through that is strangely reminiscent of "Norwegian Wood." Sweet Return, which is track number eight, seems as if it should be the album's closer, only because it would complete my analogy that this is the album to be on most people's Top 5 Albums For a Trip to Mars list. "Up to the Sky" is close enough to Oasis in terms of melody and vocal styling: "I wanna flyyyyyy up to the skyyyy, oh so hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh" but it's done in a classy way, unlike the tired sound of Oasis used-up formulaic songwriting. The distinctiveness of Cardia's song-writing is refreshing, and the chemistry among the band's members is just one of the many luring qualities offered to the listener. One of the many tracks that shine bright is the last on the self-titled masterpiece: "Don't Let Me Down." Like a bolt of lightning from the heavens where Love's vocals are reminiscent of Modern English meets Whitesnake, going from his soft subtle singing to his own brand of blaring falsetto throughout the song. Again, this album is a triumph, because it's clear that these musicians have finally found their niche, being comfortable enough with a band in which they can create the songs that they meant to write with their former bands. This album is a testament to the true meaning of the Gestalt, because in Cardia, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. All that means is that the sum of the parts is great, and the whole is even greater.
This album can be purchased at Amazon LEFT OFF THE DIAL Interview with Cardia About LOTD Contact/Staff Advertise Home All content © LEFT OFF THE DIAL 2001-2005. All rights reserved. |
