Originally a one-off project from singer/songwriters Richard Davies and Eric Matthews, Cardinal came together in 1994 following ex-Moles frontman Davies' relocation from his native Australia to the U.S.; he wrote and sang all but one of the songs that comprised Cardinal's self-titled debut, while Matthews arranged the compositions, layering them with ornate strings, horns, and pianos inspired by the lush, baroque sounds of late-'60s pop.