Peasants, Pigs & Astronauts

Peasants, Pigs & Astronauts is the ambitious second studio album by Kula Shaker, released in 1999. Following the massive success of their debut, the band leaned further into their progressive and spiritual influences, resulting in a complex production history that saw them cycle through producers John Leckie, Rick Rubin, and George Drakoulias before finishing with Bob Ezrin. Much of the album was recorded on David Gilmour's houseboat studio, the Astoria, which contributed to its lush, watery reverb and expansive sonic depth. While the debut was a Britpop phenomenon, this record is a 'kitchen sink' project that incorporates elements of space rock, Indian classical music, and orchestral pop. It is notable for its heavy use of Sanskrit lyrics and Vedic themes, particularly on tracks like 'Radhe Radhe' and the epic closing suite. Despite its high production value and musical technicality, it arrived at the tail end of the Britpop era to a polarized critical reception, though it has since been reclaimed as a cult classic of 90s psychedelia.