The Obvious Identity is a self-released album by English rock group Cardiacs, their first album of any sort, released under the group's earlier name of Cardiac Arrest. The album format was cassette tape, and it was only sold at concerts. The album title came from a name which the band used for a short time prior to taking on the Cardiac Arrest name. Two songs featured the band's original lead singer, Michael Pugh. (Pugh's only other appearance with the band on record was on the "A Bus for a Bus on the Bus" single) The album was recorded at Crow Studios in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, UK. It was recorded with the punk/DIY ethic in mind as Smith had little cash to invest in the project. The master tapes were duplicated onto as many old cassette tapes as Smith could find. An anonymous member of the band has been quoted as commenting that "the recordings were so shit it wouldn’t matter if they were copied onto washing-up sponges." About 1000 cassettes were produced.

Reissues and alternative versions of album tracks

The Obvious Identity has never been reissued, and is consequently one of the rarest Cardiac Arrest/Cardiacs releases. However, many of the pieces from it have either been reissued on other Cardiacs releases or have had live versions appearing on other albums.

Track listing

Notes

Personnel

Adapted from the album's liner notes and according to Eric Benac. Technical