Amazon.co.uk Review
Crispian Mills, the former
Kula Shaker frontman, appears to have returned to his roots (musically, that is--he'll always be, and always was, a posh boy) with the Jeevas.
1-2-3-4 boasts good, snappy songs played by a tidy band, while Mills's underrated guitar playing sparkles throughout and rhythm section Andy Nixon and Dan McKinna have no trouble keeping up. Opener "Virginia" owes everything to
David Bowie and the Spiders from Mars, with a touch of
Troggs thrown in, a cover of the
Undertones's "You Got My Number" is straightforward and joyful, while "Once Upon a Time in America" is a lively folk-rock boogie. The wobbly "Silver Apples" is presumably a nod to the 60s avant-garde New Yorkers of that name, while the concluding "Edge of the World" is wistfully memorable. At least as good as
John Squire's best solo efforts, and a hell of a lot more fun, this short (35 minutes) set is anything but grandiose and will come as a pleasant surprise to anyone expecting post-millennial cod-mysticism.
--Steve Jelbert
CD Description
Debut album by new band fronted by ex-Kula Shaker mainman Crispian Mills and featuring former members of Straw. Inspired by Dylan, Bowie, the Rolling Stones and 70s punk, the bandretains some of the eastern mysticism of Kula, but with a harder, more powerful rock sound. Includes the single 'Virginia'.