Kula Shaker (Photo courtesy Union Stage)
Last year, Kula Shaker released 1st Congregational Church of Eternal Love and Free Hugs, the band’s sixth studio album.
The psychedelic Brits are now set to tour the USA, and they perform at Union Stage in DC on Thursday, Sept. 7.
Kula Shaker have returned in force to deliver their most inspired album in years. 1st Congregational Church Of Eternal Love (and Free Hugs) is a conceptual, double-album, energised and purposeful in a way in which few bands can currently compete. It spills over with enthusiasm across 15 blazing songs of cross-genre sonics and a renewed super confidence in its willingness to address global themes: Love vs Fear, Freedom vs Autocracy, Colonials vs Indians, Empire vs The Rebellion.
The concept of the new album is framed within the semi-imaginary setting of a quaint, English village called Little Sodbury. The album is partially narrated by the character of the local vicar, Rev. John Smallwood, who struggles to conduct the evening service while epic thunderstorms rage overhead and mobile phones ping in the pews.
Following an absurdly wonderful introduction by the Rev. John Smallwood of the 1st Congregational Church of Eternal Love (and free hugs), the album blasts off with the joyful protest-spirit of “Whatever It Is (I’m Against It),” a 3- minute classic Kula Shaker rock-out that could have been a lost treasure from K. Hometown finds “fings ain’t what they used to be” as fiery guitars shake the congregation in their pews.
Watch the official music video for “Whatever It Is, I’m Against It” by Kula Shaker on YouTube:
It is a thing of great joy to hear Kula Shaker sounding so free and playful. From their roots in the early ’90s psychedelic movement, evolving from a fascination for a saintly 9th century Indian King (and poet) who’s royal name they adapted; the balloon-in-a-gale flight to stardom with singles “Tattva,” “Hey Dude.” “Govinda,” and “Hush” ascending to the top of many global charts, launching the rocket of their first stellar-selling album, K. This was followed by the under-rated second album Peasants, Pigs, and Astronauts before they split in 1999.
Kula Shaker’s first reunion came in 2007, coming after Alonza Bevan’s musical stint with Johnny Marr, and Crispian’s side project The Jeevas, resulting in a 3rd album ‘Strangefolk’ confirming Crispian as a master communicator, with “Out On The Highway” and “Die For Love” being lost Grammy-contenders. Then came 2010’s beautifully folky Pilgrim’s Progress, which revealed the band’s gift for beguiling acoustic songs, featuring gems like “Ophelia” and “Peter Pan RIP,” before their grand re-surfacing for K 2.0’s triumphant East-meets- West celebration.
Kula Shaker
W/ Home Remedies
Union Stage
Thursday, Sept. 7
Doors @ 7pm
$27.50