Late '60s psychedelia meets sitar and tabla
Kula Shaker's debut album was the most beautiful and successful fusion experiment of the '90s. Psychedelic rock of the late '60s meets Indian string arrangements and the result is enchanting, not odd. I was drawn into this album after listening to the UK hits Govinda and Tattva. Some tracks here are out and out rock songs with loud guitars..like Grateful When You're Dead (a tribute to Jerry Garcia), 303, Knight On The Town, Smart Dogs (I thought the last line sounded funny...it goes 'somebody shoot the dog') and Hey Dude (nice karaoke number). Some are slow and haunting with prominent sitar and tabla sounds..like Sleeping Jiva, Jerry Was There (another obvious tribute), Hollow Man and Magic Theatre. The others like Temple Of Everlasting Light and Into The Deep (both are out of this world) are midway between the two styles. The only song I haven't mentioned yet is Start All Over which is nice and slow. So really, I feel there is not one song that's wasted or out of place on this album. Also, it is easy to notice that their sound has a remarkable similarity to that of The Doors. In fact their first single, Sound of Drums off the second album in my opinion sounds like something by Ray Manzarek. Anyway, if you are majorly into bands like Pink Floyd, The Doors and The Beatles don't even hesitate before getting this. It's well worth the price.
You Wont Regret Buying This CD.
When I listen to this CD, I think of George Harrison and the beatles standing next to the band, leading them along....further than the Beatles went...deeper but the same.Buy it. Buy it with Ocean Color Scheme's "Moseley Shoals" and enjoy.
from the best albums in the '90's...
love the album. if u listen to it for the first time u would think that this album came out in the 60's,early 70's. trippy pshychedelic rock. i've seen them live in NY, i have to say it was by far THE greatest live performance i've seen EVER. too bad they aren't playing anymore...
Unbeliavably Awesome
Although their sound is all but original,clearly influenced by the Beatles circa Harrison induced mysticism and psychedelia,plus some Who-like rock gusto,the final result is nothing short from outstanding.
In 1996 Kula Shaker stunned Great Britain with their kaleidoscopic pop which unveiled to the 90's a world full of colours and sounds long gone.Their retro-psychedelia and oriental imagery rendered them peerless but was this separation from the Britpop movement good or bad for them? If it hadn't been for their early demise the results could have placed them in the same footing as the legends they derived from(Beatles,Who).
From the infectious Hey Dude to the earth shattering beautiful Hollow Man there isn't a misplaced track,all flowing together to mould an undeniable work of genius and a milestone for the90's.
~|~ K ~|~
If i cud, i'd have given this cd more than 5 stars...Kula Shaker is one of those bands that consist of true musicians...not the lame commercial so called musicians that exist in the market/industry now days... I don't think that there are too many groups or even that many cds out there with the balanced composition like this "K" album. It's a rarity to find such well composed guitar + sitar + tabla tune... outstanding! It's just not only their music, but their lyrics are very well written too. I think they poured their heart n' soul 4 this album, and which is probably why they hadn't released something for a while. I've had the golden oppurtunity to see these guys live, and you know how some bands sounds not so good performing live...but not these guys...i felt like i was listening to their studio tracks...it sounded absolutely stunning. In one sentence...it's must for anyone with good taste in music... i just wish they release some more soon. This particular album ("K") is probably one of the best 'psychedelic' album that got produced in the 90s...since the true psychedelic era...
No word on what the "k" stands for, but opinions will vary between "kitsch" and "killer." Most listeners will opt for the latter as these Brits combine the swagger of Oasis, a pinup singer with immaculate show biz bloodlines, and a rich sound that breathes melodic fire into '60s psychedelia. In a word: Unstoppable. --Jeff Bateman
