Kula Shaker RANKED: 1995-1999 B-Sides

Because of my addictions to buying CDs and to the 90s Britpop band Kula Shaker, I bought all 16 variations of the band’s CD singles released before their dissolution.

Do I regret this decision? Not at all – there are so many gems to be found on these discs, such as the brilliant “Govinda, Hari & St. George” from the Govinda CDK or “Crispian Reading from the Mahabharata” from Hey Dude (CDK). So I’ve decided that in this mini “ALL Songs Ranked” article, I’m going to rank EVERY B-side featured on these CDs. Covers will be included, but songs released on studio albums (Into the Deep, Tattva, etc) will not. The music video edit of Mystical Machine Gun [Mystical Machine Gun (CD)] will also be excluded.

Note:
Each single was released in two variations, with the exceptions of the first two [Tattva: Lucky 13 Mix (KULACD1) and Grateful When You’re Dead/Jerry Was There (KULACD2)]. The first variation is identified with “CD” and the second is identified with “CDK” (for singles from K) or “CDX” (for the singles from Peasants, Pigs, and Astronauts) – alternatively, CD1 and CD2 respectively. I will specify which variation is best to buy for each specific song using the CD1 and CDK/CDX identifiers.
Additionally, a few of these songs are available on the compilation album, Kollected, and I will note this as a “best buy” as well. (Not every unique Kollected track will be included, however.)

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24. Govinda [Monkey Mafia Versions] – Govinda (CDK)

This slot covers two songs from Govinda (CDK): “Govinda [Monkey Mafia Pigsy’s Version]” and “Govinda [Monkey Mafia Ten to Ten].” If remixes and EDM are your thing, then these are the tracks for you. Otherwise, they are nothing like “Govinda,” and the fact that they destroyed one of my all-time favorite songs makes me hate them even more.

23. The Dancing Flea – Shower Your Love (CDX)

There’s no reason you would need to know what this song was. It’s basically a compilation of sounds that Jay Darlington liked meshed into a carnival-esque piano solo.

22. Fairyland – Sound of Drums (CD1)

Cheesy, childish, and with a guest artist that makes you miss Crispian’s voice, “Fairyland” reminds you of The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine” or “All Together Now” minus the iconic filter that gives those tracks some status in your collection. With the other unique track of the album being an instrumental, Sound of Drums (CD1) is left desolate and as an overall pointless buy.

21. Prancing Bride – Mystical Machine Gun (CD1)

The flute on this track is pleasant and the vibe matches the name, but “Prancing Bride” is just too short and not dynamic enough to make an impact.

20. Reflections of Love – Sound of Drums (CD1)

“Reflections of Love” isn’t at all terrible, and it has a melody that can be quite pleasant. But as an instrumental track with only “La la las” for vocals, it is left behind the more memorable B-sides.

19. Avalonia – Mystical Machine Gun (CDX)

It’s surprisingly common for rock bands to try out their shot at folk rock, and “Avalonia” is the track that shows that Kula Shaker was never meant for the genre. It has some charm to it, but like my disappointment with The Jeevas’ Cowboys and Indians, Crispian’s voice is too twangy and the track is so stripped down there is nothing else to push it further up the list.

18. The One That Got Away – Sound of Drums (CD1)

The most likeable instrumental of the bunch, “The One That Got Away” makes up for the excitement lost from the lack of vocals with horn solos, including trumpets, saxophones, and even tubas. It was composed with a beginning, a climax, and an end, and therefore holds up its weight as a decent track, though still not as interesting as the more traditional rock anthems on this list.

17. Goodbye Tin Terriers – Shower Your Love (CD1)

The vocal bits on this track are great, but the song’s start and end are almost enough to give you a headache. It’s slow, although redeemable at times with its guitars; but overall not worth the buy when it’s the sole unique track on the disc.

16. Hurry On Sundown (Hari Om Sundown) – Sound of Drums (CDX)

I honestly don’t know what to think about this track. It’s better than Avalonia while having that country/folk sound and the harmonica that Crispian is fond of, but it’s still not a track I’d say is worth the purchase.

15. Tattva (Lucky 13 Mix) – Tattva (CD1)

We all love Tattva, and while the Lucky 13 Mix may not live up to the same hype, it is easily the best semi-instrumental track from the singles. The alterations don’t destroy the sound like the “Govinda” Monkey Mafia’s mixes did, and it is more a rearrangement of the same song minus the vocals than it is a complete rewrite.

14. Guitar Man – Mystical Machine Gun (CD1)

“Guitar Man” is, in essence, a fun song. It has the vibe of K, but with more watered down lyrics. It’s worth the listen, but you can find a better song in “Under the Hammer” or “Grateful When You’re Dead.” Good luck getting this one out of your head, though.

13. Smile – Sound of Drums (CDX)

“Smile” is a song with an acquired taste to it. At first, it is cheesy and too happy-go-lucky, but it is also reminiscent of Beatles song like “Only a Northern Song,” and the melody is feel-good and enjoyable after the first few listens. And of course, you can’t forget a nod towards the classic Indian arrangement that closes the track. But it still is too cheerful and the end is so drastically from the beginning it doesn’t fit well.

12. Light of the Day – Kollected

I’ve heard from many fans how popular this song is, but I don’t think it quite lives up to the pedestal it’s been set on. It’s a great song – don’t get me wrong – but it’s one of those ballads with a mediocre chorus compared to other similar songs. Many of Kula Shaker’s slower songs hold depth to them that you can dig your teeth into, unlike “Light of the Day,” in which the melodies lull you to sleep.

11. Raagy One (Waiting for Tomorrow) – Hush (CD1/CDK)

Forget “Tattva,” and forget “Timeworm” – “Raggy One”  is the most trippy, psychedelic track of the band. And that’s partially why it didn’t hit the top 10. It can be a bit headache-inducing at first, but it is intriguing enough to make it a worthwhile listen. If you’re a fan of the band, chances are you’ve heard a clip of it somewhere. And if you’ve heard even a small excerpt of it, you won’t ever be able to forget it.

10. Gokula – Govinda (CD1)

You can’t deny that the riff of “Gokula” is epic – even more so that the band borrowed it with George Harrison‘s blessing before he passed. But it’s repetitive and fits better as a soundtrack (as it is often used). It’s lyrics aren’t very memorable, either, but it is interesting to consider them in the context of George Harrison‘s last days.

9. Another Life – Grateful When You’re Dead/Jerry Was There

Don’t be fooled by the laughing at the start, this song is actually comparable to the well-known “Under the Hammer” or “Gokula.” Crispian’s shouting vocals are pleasing no matter whether or not you pay attention to the lyrics, but if unfortunately isn’t too different looking at the previous songs mentioned or others like “Guitar Man” or even “Raagy One” to make it unforgettable.

8. Under the Hammer – Grateful When You’re Dead/Jerry Was There

In my own opinion, “Under the Hammer” is a better song to be experienced live (not that I have ever seen the band face-to-face, myself, unfortunately). It is another song fit for K, and I highly recommend looking at a YouTube video for this track (I am particularly fond of this video in which Crispian continues to rock out after taking a tumble over the drum kit). It is a fast, rocking song with a booming melody that you just have to shout out when you listen along.

7. Red Balloon (Vishnu’s Eyes) – Tattva (CDK)

Catchy, dynamic, and with intriguing lyrics, “Red Balloon” is the song that made me want to buy all of the CD singles. Going back to my commentary of “Light of the Day,” “Red Balloon’s” chorus gives you a song to be excited for. While that isn’t the intent of the former track, it is worth mentioning that the impact of the chorus in any song is key.

6. Dance in Your Shadow – Tattva (CD1/CDK)

Probably among the most famous of the B-sides (as it is featured on Kollected), “Dance in Your Shadow” is one of those songs that I want to let out so others can shine, but it’s so good and widely known, and you can’t deny how great the groove in the chorus is. I mean, doesn’t who doesn’t sway to “Time waits by your side, dance in your shadow?”

5. Holy River – Mystical Machine Gun (CDX)

I was unjustly prejudiced towards this song for a while because the title is featured in the lyrics of “Golden Avatar” from Peasants, Pigs, and Astronauts (if you read my main ranked list, you would know how I feel about that track). But as you can tell, it is significantly better than I perceived. “Holy River” has the groove of “Dance in Your Shadow,” the punch of “Under the Hammer,” and the substance of “Red Balloon.” It is a must listen and makes Mystical Machine Gun (CDX) a necessary purchase for any Kula Shaker fan.

4. Hush – Hush (CD1/CDK)

A cover significantly better than the original, “Hush” remains as the band’s biggest hit two decades later. It was the frist song I heard by the band, and I’m sure for everyone with the same experience that it served as an easy hook for their music. Unlike the original from Deep Purple, Crispian brings you on for a ride with his bright, muted guitar strums and exaggerated vocals like those used on “Grateful When You’re Dead.” Crispian’s vocals have always been top-notch, but you can’t help wishing he would sing like this more often.

3. Moonshine – Tattva (CD1)

This song takes advantage of the key of E and its accidentals. It takes the listener on a climb up to the moonlight as the melody flowers into the chorus with the pleasing, descending tones of “And now I know I’ll never be the same.” So many lyrics of this song hit hard and stick in your mind, and you just know that after hearing it, you won’t ever look at Kula Shaker the same way again.

2. Troubled Mind – Hey Dude (CD1)

Not to diss any of the tracks on K, but I would not complain if “Troubled Mind” had ended up on the album instead. Better yet, replace “Radhe Radhe” or “Golden Avatar” with this song. Like “Moonshine” and “Holy River,” it has a chorus that you can’t get out of your head, and its groove makes it even more addicting. And it is interesting to add that allusions to clinical insanity make for more relatable and overall more impactful lyrics.

1. Drop in the Sea – Hey Dude (CDK)

Simple in short, “Drop in the sea” has been crafted as basic as possible. And it fits; we are all mere “drops in the sea” and no different than anyone else. This track also uses the satisfying aesthetic of the Eb outside of the set key of C. It offers a nice visual to the new idea – “May I just mention?” – and utilizes but a small range of pitches in a sea of notes possible. The bridge sways and recedes like the ocean waves; sometimes gentle and calm, sometimes indecisive and active. The range of pitch differs greatly from the majority of the song, and the simplicity of the stepping up and then back down in pitch reinforces the simplicity of the idea that we are but drops in the sea.

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Which CDs should I buy?

First off, if you don’t want the full album, go on Amazon or Apple Music and purchase “Strange Folk,” “Light of the Day,” and “Ballad of a Thin Man” from the Kollected album.

As for the other singles, the only CD is that truly a worthless purchase is Tattva: Lucky 13 Mix with its A-side being available on Tattva and the bonus CD for K and the B-side of “Hollow Man (Part II)” (the closing track of K).

There are other discs that are worthless in that the unique tracks are live recordings or alternate mixes of songs from K. These CDs include Govinda (K) and either of the Hush variations (both have “Raagy One” as a unique track). Some of these live tracks are excellent and highly recommended, such as “Govinda, Hari & St. George” from Govinda and both live tracks from Hush.

Additionally, Hey Dude (K) and Govinda include tracks with spoken word bits from radio sessions (“Crispian Reading from the Mahabharata” and “The Leek,” respectively).

Another thing you should be aware of: every CDK and CDX variation (excluding Shower Your Love) includes a poster – most being band photos – so if you’re that kind of collector, you might like that extra addition.

If you are not interested in the live recordings, I would recommend the following purchases:

• Grateful When You’re Dead/Jerry Was There
• Tattva (CD1 & CDK)
• Hey Dude (CD1)
• ***Hey Dude (CDK)
  • “Crispian Reading from the Mahabharata”
  • “Drop in the Sea”
• Govinda (CD1)
• Hush (CD1)
• Sound of Drums (CDX)
• Mystical Machine Gun (CDX)
• Kollected (digital)
  • “Ballad of a Thin Man”
  • “Strange Folk”
  • “Light of the Day”
  • ***”Drop in the Sea” [IF without Hey Dude (CDK)]