All That Glitters Is a Mares Nest
78 min · 17 tracks · post-punk
A kaleidoscopic blend of intricate melodies and unpredictable rhythms, capturing the essence of avant-garde rock.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Duck and Roger the Horse — Opening with whimsical yet intricate instrumentation, this track sets the tone for the entire album, balancing playful lyrics with a complex melodic structure.
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There’s Too Many Irons in the Fire — This song combines catchy hooks with abrupt tempo shifts, showcasing Cardiacs’ signature ability to fuse accessibility with avant-garde sensibilities.
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Baby Heart Dirt — With its tender yet bizarre lyrical imagery, this track exemplifies the band's knack for juxtaposing sweetness against chaotic musical backdrops.
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The Leader of the Starry Skies — Here, ethereal vocals intertwine with lush instrumentation, creating an atmospheric experience that highlights the band's penchant for theatricality and emotional depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's intricate arrangements and unpredictable rhythms contribute to its distinctiveness and lasting appeal.
What we noticed
- The album features abrupt tempo changes, with tracks shifting from frenetic energy to calm introspection within a single song.
- The use of layered instrumentation and harmonies gives each track a dense texture, often requiring multiple listens to fully appreciate the details.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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9/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- chaotic whimsy for adventurous listeners
- unexpected twists and turns
- immersive exploration of absurdity
- playful unpredictability throughout tracks
- short bursts of eccentricity
Maybe skip if you
- seeking straightforward listening experiences
- prefer conventional song structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1988, All That Glitters Is a Mares Nest is Cardiacs' third studio album, coming after the critical success of their previous work, Sing to God. This album marks a peak in their experimental approach, showcasing their distinctive sound that blends art rock with elements of punk and psychedelia. By this point, the band's cult following was expanding, affirming their role as innovators in the UK music scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Residents· Frank Zappa· This Heat
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Duck and Roger the Horse 6:42
- 2 There’s Too Many Irons in the Fire 3:25
- 3 It’s a Lovely Day 4:50
- 4 Everything Is Easy 3:56
- 5 Two Bites of Cherry 4:50
- 6 I Hold My Love in My Arms 1:12
- 7 Arnald 2:43
- 8 Baby Heart Dirt 4:04
- 9 All Spectacular 2:41
- 10 To Go Off and Things 8:02
- 11 The Leader of the Starry Skies 4:33
- 12 Tarred and Feathered 4:32
- 13 Fast Robert 3:33
- 14 Big Ship 7:03
- 15 Visiting Hours 1:49
- 16 R.E.S. 6:46
- 17 Is This the Life 7:46
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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