Search - Kak :: Kak-Ola

Fans of West Coast psych should not hesitate to grab this

Ludix | Upton, MA United States | 10/04/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A lot of obscure '60s "psychedelic" albums have been hailed by pundits as "lost classics." I've been suckered into buying many of these, and have often been disappointed.



Kak's sole album from '68 is a happy exception. If I had to compile a list of the Top 10 West Coast psych albums, KAK-OLA would be on it, right along with the best of the Airplane, the Dead, QMS and Love. Derivative? Sometimes, but who cares? Kak absolutely NAILED this idiom. If you like the above-named groups, you simply have to check out KAK-OLA.



I dare you to hear the dreamy, cannabis-infused guitar riff of "The Lemonade Kid" and not buy this! Betcha can't get it out of your head ..."

Kacophony

Ian Laws | Batavia Western New York | 12/13/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Many psychedelic albums that are regarded as
"lost classics"would be overshadowed by this album,the packaging alone is a treasure trove,that answers all the pertinent questions regarding this release,and how the group and the album came into existence.
All of this would mean nothing if the music were not of such a high standard throughout.I believe that this album distills many of the great things about the psychedelic sixties.Highlights are many and the guitar work is awesome.Rain stands out as particularly memorable.Of course the album meanders occasionaly,but it is difficult to believe that,with all that is so excellent about this album Kak never emerged at the time and made a larger impact.Big Beat records should be congratulated for this brilliant release.Also listening to Gary Yoder"s tracks as basically works in progress is an inspired and inspiring move.For all those people that have been let down by lost classics,please go out and give this a chance."

Recomended..!!!

R. Franecki | Wisconsin, USA | 03/08/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Simply put, this is a good album. Historians and completists will note that this was the group Gary Yoder was in before Blue Cheer, and indeed, much of this album sounds like later Blue Cheer, and I mean that in a good way! The later Blue cheer Albums were a forum for Gary Yoder's songwriting, and he wrote some good ones. Kak also had Chris Lockheed on drums, who later played on the legendary (and very rare) solo LP 'Population II' by Randy Holden, another Blue Cheer alumnus. Kak were often accused of being a bit 'derivitive' but that doesn't bother me if the influences are good ones. (Quicksilver, Moby Grape..etc...) They were considered a 'second string' SF band, and often were an opening act for the above mentioned groups. Buy this..you'll like it!..."