All That Glitters Is a Mares Nest


All That Glitters Is a Mares Nest is a live album by the English rock band Cardiacs. It is their third live album, and was originally recorded in the afternoon in the Salisbury Arts Centre on 30 June 1990. In effect, it is the soundtrack album to the live concert film Maresnest. All That Glitters Is a Mares Nest is, technically, the last Cardiacs recording to feature saxophonist Sarah Smith, percussionist Tim Quy and keyboard player William D. Drake as band members. It is the only Cardiacs album to feature guitarist Christian Hayes throughout.
Napalm Death were recording their Live Corruption video at the same venue that evening, and seeing as both Cardiacs and Napalm Death shared the same manager, it was decided they could record two live videos in the same place for the price of one-and-a-half. The CD features two extra tracks that didn't appear on the video.
All That Glitters Is a Mares Nest is the only Cardiacs album to feature the band as a septet. In fact, the lineup of Cardiacs which played this concert did not entirely reflect the live touring band of the time. Sarah Smith had left the band the previous year, but had maintained her connections with the band: she was persuaded to temporarily rejoin the band as a special guest for the show.
The Salisbury Arts Centre show was Tim Quy's last performance with Cardiacs. Although William D. Drake is clearly heard performing on the album and is fully visible on the Maresnest video recording, his name was entirely left out of the personnel credits.

Track listing

  1. "The Duck and Roger the Horse"
  2. "There's Too Many Irons in the Fire"
  3. "Its a Lovely Day"
  4. "Everything is Easy"
  5. "Two Bites of Cherry"
  6. "I Hold My Love in My Arms"
  7. "Arnald"
  8. "Baby Heart Dirt"
  9. "All Spectacular"
  10. "To Go off and Things"
  11. "The Leader of the Starry Skies"
  12. "Tarred and Feathered"
  13. "Fast Robert"
  14. "Big Ship"
  15. "Visiting"
  16. "R.E.S"
  17. "Is This the Life?"

    Personnel