K

• Artist: Kula Shaker
• Rating:
• Release Date: October 22, 1996
• Total Time: 61:29
• Type: Lyrics are included with the album
• Genre: Rock

Review

By the mid-'90s, most bands had abandoned the sounds and sensibilities of late-'60s psychedelia, which is what makes Kula Shaker's debut album, K, such a weird, bracing listen. The band doesn't simply revive the swirling guitar and organ riffs of psychedelia, it embraces the mysticism and Eastern spirituality that informed the music. On both "Tattva" and "Govinda," lead singer Crispian Mills has adapted portions of Sanskrit text for the lyrics, chanting Indian mantras without a hint of embarrassment. Similarly, Kula Shaker are unashamed about their devotion to Hendrix, Traffic, and the Beatles, cutting their traditionalist tendencies with an onslaught of volume, overdriven guitars, and catchy melodies -- though they have a song called "Grateful When You're Dead," all of their psychedelic sensibilities derive from British rock, not the more experimental American counterpart. Kula Shaker may play well -- they have a powerful rush that makes you temporarily forget how classicist their music actually is -- but they still have trouble coming up with hooks. About half the record ("Hey Dude," "Tattva," "Govinda," "Grateful When You're Dead") has strong melodies, while the rest just rides by on the band's instrumental skills. Consequently, much of K doesn't stick around once the record is finished, but the singles remain excellent blasts of colorful neo-psychedelia. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Hey Dude (Lyrics)	Kula Shaker, Crispian Mills	Kula Shaker	(4:09)
Knight on the Town (Lyrics)	Kula Shaker, Crispian Mills	Kula Shaker	(3:25)
Temple of Everlasting Light (Lyrics)	Alonza Bevan, Crispian Mills	Kula Shaker	(2:33)
Govinda	Kula Shaker, Crispian Mills	Kula Shaker	(4:57)
Smart Dogs (Lyrics)	Kula Shaker, Crispian Mills	Kula Shaker	(3:17)
Magic Theatre (Lyrics)	Alonza Bevan, Crispian Mills	Kula Shaker	(2:39)
Into the Deep (Lyrics)	Alonza Bevan, Crispian Mills	Kula Shaker	(3:48)
Sleeping Jiva	Alonza Bevan, Crispian Mills, Jay Darlington, Paul Winter-Hart	Kula Shaker	(2:03)
Tattva	Kula Shaker, Crispian Mills	Kula Shaker	(3:45)
Grateful When You're Dead/Jerry Was There	Kula Shaker, Crispian Mills	Kula Shaker	(5:42)
303 (Lyrics)	Alonza Bevan, Crispian Mills	Kula Shaker	(3:09)
Start All Over (Lyrics)	Crispian Mills	Kula Shaker	(2:36)
Hollow Man, Pts. 1 & 2	Alonza Bevan, Crispian Mills	Kula Shaker	(19:26)

Credits

Paul Cox (Photography), Kick Horns (Horn), John Leckie (Producer), John Leckie (Engineer), John Leckie (Mixing), Kula Shaker (Main Performer), Alonza Bevan (Bass), Alonza Bevan (Piano), Alonza Bevan (Tabla), Alonza Bevan (Vocals (Background)), Alonza Bevan (Producer), Alonza Bevan (Group Member), Crispian Mills (Guitar (Acoustic)), Crispian Mills (Guitar (Electric)), Crispian Mills (Vocals), Crispian Mills (Tamboura), Crispian Mills (Producer), Crispian Mills (Group Member), Stephen Harris (Engineer), Stephen Harris (Mixing), Jay Darlington (Organ), Jay Darlington (Piano), Jay Darlington (Mellotron), Jay Darlington (Group Member), Himangsu Goswami (Tabla), Paul Winter-Hart (Drums), Paul Winter-Hart (Group Member), David Gibbons (Artwork)

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