Crispian Mills is back. And he’s ready to rock.

The album 1234 marks the return of Brit-pop rocker Crispian “Kula Shaker” Mills. Two years after the demise of the Indian infused rock ‘n’ roll act, he’s back with The Jeevas and just plain old rock ‘n’ roll.

Dan (bass) and Andy (drums) make up the three-piece. Both have knocked about the dirty world of the music industry for a while and know what you shouldn’t step in. 1234 was recorded in Andy’s house in just two months. Once it was finished they decided to put it out on their own label, Cowboy Musik, to avoid the messy business of dealing with a major label.

So what does it sound like? “It’s very, very simple, like everything we’re trying to do at the moment,” says Crispian. All three of them use the word “raw”. And it is. Simple and raw. It shouldn’t hold too many surprises for those who’ve heard Kula Shaker. You might dismiss it as “dad rock”, but it’s fun, and Crispian’s lyrics are as quirky and inventive as they always were. Apparently 1234 is just the beginning. You wait till you hear 5678. MW 26 September 02

1234 released 30 September 02 on Cowboy Musik.