Cardinal [Vinyl]

Twenty years after its initial release, the orchestral pop classic that is the self-titled debut from Cardinal is being reissued by Fire Records. The record is a rush of exquisite songwriting and brilliant arrangements that was way ahead of its time, courtesy of the duo of Richard Davies and Eric Matthews. This CD includes demos and bonus tracks and a 16-page booklet with new liner notes featuring an entertaining oral history of the making of the record with Davies, Matthews and Producer Tony Lash (Heatmiser, Elliott Smith.) Recorded during the height of grunge, and financed by Sub Pop's good fortune, the record's sweet melodies and surging orchestration were an anomaly that paved the way for others.