All That Glitters Is a Mares Nest is a live album by the English rock band Cardiacs

Cardiacs

Cardiacs are an English alternative rock/psychedelic pop band formed in 1977 and led by Tim Smith. Noted for their complex, varied and intense compositional style and for their eccentric, theatrical stage shows, they have been hailed as an influence by bands as diverse as Blur, Faith No More and...

. 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

Maresnest

Maresnest is the second official video released by Cardiacs and it was recorded live at the Salisbury Arts Centre on 30 June 1990.This video is notable as being the last time Sarah Smith and Tim Quy played with the band. Sarah had ceased to be a full time member of the band more than a year...

. 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

William D. Drake

William D. Drake is an English musician, keyboardist, pianist, composer and singer-songwriter. He is best known as a former member of the cult English rock band Cardiacs, whom he played with for nine years between 1983 and 1992...

 as band members. It is the only Cardiacs album to feature guitarist Christian Hayes

Christian Hayes

Christian Hayes , also known as Bic Hayes, is an English rock guitarist, singer and songwriter. His highest profile musical role has been fronting the band Dark Star between 1998 and 2001, whom he formed with fellow ex-Levitation members David Francolini and Laurence O'Keefe.He has also played in a...

 throughout.

Napalm Death

Napalm Death

Napalm Death are a death metal band formed in Birmingham, England in 1981. While none of its original members remain in the group, the lineup of vocalist Mark "Barney" Greenway, bassist Shane Embury, guitarist Mitch Harris and drummer Danny Herrera has remained consistent for most of the band's ...

 were recording their Live Corruption

Live Corruption

Live Corruption is a live album by the English band Napalm Death released in 1992. It was recorded live at the Salisbury Arts Centre, England on 30 June 1990...

video at the same venue that evening, and seeing as both Cardiacs

Cardiacs

Cardiacs are an English alternative rock/psychedelic pop band formed in 1977 and led by Tim Smith. Noted for their complex, varied and intense compositional style and for their eccentric, theatrical stage shows, they have been hailed as an influence by bands as diverse as Blur, Faith No More and...

 and Napalm Death

Napalm Death

Napalm Death are a death metal band formed in Birmingham, England in 1981. While none of its original members remain in the group, the lineup of vocalist Mark "Barney" Greenway, bassist Shane Embury, guitarist Mitch Harris and drummer Danny Herrera has remained consistent for most of the band's ...

 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 ("Two Bites Of Cherry" and "All Spectacular") 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 previously year (although maintaining her connections with the band) and was persuaded to temporarily join the band as a special guest for the show. Although William D. Drake is clearly heard performing on the album and is fully visible on the Maresnest video recording, his name has been entirely left out of the personnel credits.

The Salisbury Arts Centre was Tim Quy's last performance with Cardiacs

Cardiacs

Cardiacs are an English alternative rock/psychedelic pop band formed in 1977 and led by Tim Smith. Noted for their complex, varied and intense compositional style and for their eccentric, theatrical stage shows, they have been hailed as an influence by bands as diverse as Blur, Faith No More and...

.

Track listing

1. "The Duck And Roger The Horse"
2. "There's Too Many Irons In The Fire
   There's Too Many Irons in the Fire
   "There's Too Many Irons in the Fire" is the second single by the English rock band Cardiacs, released in September 1987.-Critical reception:In the week of its release, There's Too Many Irons in the Fire was awarded "Single of the Week" in Sounds magazine...
   
   "
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?
    Is This the Life?
    "Is This the Life" is the third single from Cardiacs and their best known. It is from the album, A Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window....
    
    "

Lineup

• Tim Smith - Guitar and Lead Vocals
• Jim Smith - Bass Guitar and Vocals
• Sarah Smith - Saxophones and Vocals
• Christian Hayes - Guitar and Vocals
• William.D.Drake - Keyboards and Vocals (uncredited)
• Dominic Luckman - Drums
• Tim Quy - Percussion