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  Ar t i s t :   C a r d i n a l  

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  Al b u m :   C a r d i n a l  

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  R e l e a s e :   J u n e   7 ,   2 0 0 5  

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  L a b e l :   E m p yr e a n   R e c o r d s

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  C a t a l o g   # :   S K Y   0 0 9  

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  F o r m a t :   C D  

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  U P C :   8 03645 00092 9 

 

ALBUM PROPER 
1. If You Believe in Christmas Trees

 

2. Last Poems 
3. Big Mink 
4. You’ve Lost Me There 
5. Public Melody #1 
6. Dream Figure 
7. Tough Guy Tactics 
8. Angel Darling 
9. Singing to the Sunshine 
10. Silver Machines 

 

;

 This long-out-of-print classic was praised by critics everywhere and still makes 

appearances on “top ten” lists today including: Rolling Stone, MOJO, Billboard, SPIN, 
Entertainment Weekly, NME, the New York Times, and the list continues.  

 
;

 The deluxe re-issue features 11 new bonus tracks and extensive liner notes from 

both Davies and Matthews 

 
;

 Completely re-mastered by the original engineer, Tony Lash 

 
;

 The original Cardinal record (released in 1994 by Flydaddy Records) sold well over 

30,000 copies 

 
;

 Both Richard Davies and Eric Matthews went on to find success in solo careers and 

have cult followings worldwide. 

 
;

 Full press and radio campaign to over 400 publications and 300 radio stations 

 

CARDINAL 

 

Empyrean Records Contact: 

David Silva | 401.245.0777 

David@wishingtreerecords.com 

PO Box 197 | Warren, RI 02885 

**NOT EXPORTABLE TO  EUROPE** 

 

Originally released by Flydaddy Records in 1994, Cardinal  earned 
accolades and rave reviews from just about everyone – including 'top tens' 
in the Village Voice, The New York Times, and NME, among others – and 
still continues to do so today. Although the band only released one full-
length album, it was just enough to get the attention of critics and fans alike. 

 

Cardinal was formed by Richard Davies,  Eric Matthews, and Bob Fay
following Richard’s relocation to Boston after the demise of his Australian 
art-rock band, The Moles.  Having met at a Deluxx  show in nearby 
Cambridge, the three collaborated and recorded the Toy Bell EP in Sept. 
’93, the debut release for Cardinal.  Bob Fay left the band for Sebadoh 
soon thereafter, leaving Richard and Eric to write and compose Cardinal’s 
first and only full-length, recorded in the Spring of ’94 in Portland, OR. 

 

Recorded in three weeks with Tony Lash (Heatmiser) and Thee Slayer 
Hippy (Poison Idea, Gruntruck) less than two months after Richard recorded 
The Moles Instinct in NYC, Cardinal, the eponymous full-length, was further 
testimony to Richard’s songwriting and an introduction to the beauty of Eric 
Matthews’ music.  More of a collaboration and less stark and haunting than 
The Moles, Cardinal’s music is lush and inspiring.  It is pop music that revels 
in its pretensions. 

 

Both  Richard Davies and Eric Matthews have since gone on to find 
success in solo careers.   

 

 

“Cardinal is a remarkable pop recording in 
the most classic sense of ‘pop’…it demands 
your attention.”

 

– Magnet 

 

“The most brilliantly understated album of 
1994.”

  

– New York Times 

 

“The new fin de siècle approach to rock. It’s 
dandyism that manages to care. It’s 
decadence without the stench.”

  

 – Village Voice 

 

“Cardinal should be capable of approximating 
– wait for it – a religious experience.” 

 – Melody Maker 

 

“Cardinal’s lush eerie pop doesn’t so much 
hark back to bygone eras as celebrate the 
timelessness of songwriting genius.”

 

– Paper 

 

“…one of the strongest releases of 1994…” 

 – Rolling Stone 

 

“Sheer brilliance.”

  

– CMJ 

BONUS MATERIAL 
11. Forest Theme 
12. If You Believe in Christmas Trees (demo) 
13. Willow Willow 
14. You’ve Lost Me There (demo) 
15. Out-Take 
16. Tribute to a Crow 
17. Tough Guy Tactics (demo) 
18. Say the Words Impossible (demo) 
19. Poolside ’75 
20. Sweatshirt Gown 
21. Say the Words Impossible (b-side) 

 

featuring 

Richard Davies 

and 

 

Eric Matthews