Classic Pick:-->Kula Shaker - K (1996)

"Acintya Bheda Bheda Tattva
At The Moment That You Wake From Sleeping
And You Know Its All A Dream,
Well The Truth May Come In Strange Disguises
Never Knowing What It Means."
Kula Shaker
The outcome from making blind CD purchases are often met with mixed results usually leaving the buyer in a state of apathy (and soon heading for CD Tradepost for some quick tit-for-tat) rather than musical euphoria.

However, when one does take a rock-n-roll risk on a band entirely foreign to their ears and is greeted with a congeries of songs nothing short of awesome, it becomes a rock moment not soon forgotten.

This was my way of introduction to the overlooked and fantastic 1996 offering “K” by the rock band Kula Shaker, which I picked up simply because I enjoyed looking at the CD cover. And, to this day, is still an album I return to when in need of shaking the accumulated cobwebs of everyday life.

Founded by Crispian Mills (lead vocals and guitar), Kula Shaker (named after a ninth-century Indian emperor) is a four member English band who bring the psychedelic music into the present with a fresh and rocking sound.

Imagine late 60's George Harrison jammin' with Mitch Mitchell and Jimi Hendrix when Radiohead walk in to hang out...just to give you a point of reference.

Add thirteen well-written songs and you have an idea of just what Kula Shaker bring to the table.

With the exceptional party track "Hey Dude" opening the album and followed by another jamming number “Knight On The Town”... Kula Shaker instantly convinces the listener they know exactly what they're doing.

Indian influences are heard throughout “Govinda” (as well as other songs) without giving up the rock rhythm and is surprisingly pleasing to the ear. This catchy song easily reminds me of "another" word (trust me) and is a blast to sing.

One can hear Beatle influences on the feedback laden “Magic Theatre” (an homage to the song “Because” perhaps.)

The sitar prevails beautifully on the short instrumental “Sleeping Jiva” that leads into another gorgeous Indian tinged rock jam, “Tattva”...and is essential listening for everyone. “303” has Mills working his guitar out and should make you reach for the volume knob.

Hints of Hendrix will quickly come to mind as Mills, along with the rest of the Kula Shaker band warm-up to a pinnacle jam session on the must-rip track “Grateful When You’re Dead, Jerry Was There”.

Kula Shaker brings this party to a close on the melancholic “Start All Over” and the haunting 6 plus minutes of “Hollow Man” that completes this lost work of art.

The creative mastermind Crispian Mills also carries a tidbit of novelty that is kudos. His famous mother...Hayley Mills... played the twins in the original Disney movie…“The Parent Trap“. How cool is that?
Lil' Hayley Mills
"K" offered by Kula Shaker has become a lost gem waiting to be rediscovered...And will be a welcome entrée for your rock-n-roll buffet.

Casey

Kula Shaker:-->"Tattva" (K) (1996) (Must Own)

Comments

Anonymous said…
Hello, Good to see people still listening kula shaker, can't help but noticing a major error in your blog (and it's not my typing:)). You speak of the jimi hendrix influence in the song grateful when your dead, while this is clearly a tribute to the grateful dead and their front man Jerry Garcia. A san francisco 1960's band whit great songs like this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqOcA5O_TTg
August 22, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Casey said…
Anon...Oh I agree it is terrific homage to Jerry...However the wizardry he displays with his axe... to me anyway... has a wonderful Hendrix vibe as well.

Very trippy and certainly a fantastic jam.

BTW...Thanks for the YouTube link. Loved it. And I'd heard the Grateful Dead song before...but never knew the name.
Good stuff!
August 22, 2008 at 8:43 PM
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