Kula Shaker/ Pilgrim’s Progress

Kula Shaker
Pilgrim's Progress
(Strangefolk Records)

It is a weird thing to type the words 'Kula Shaker' in 2010. It's even weirder a thing to realise this is only their fourth album. And to top it all off and give you a complete weirdgasm, it's fair to say that there are some really great moments on this record.
Tracks like 'Ruby' and 'Peter Pan RIP' (terrible name) sound like The Coral having rediscovered their magic and medicine, while the band's much beloved Indian influences come face to face with electro grooves on 'Figure It Out'.
Elsewhere and predominantly, this is a medieval folk record which echoes Led Zeppelin's more pastoral and psychedelic adventures; singer Crispian could almost pass for Robert Plant during the Wild West spookiness of 'To Wait Till I Come'.
The compositions are ambitious too; Kula Shaker clearly have no idea how uncool it is to be able to play your instruments at the moment, and closing track 'Winter's Call' sets off as many fireworks as it needs to sound like Pink Floyd at the pyramids.
Any fears that Kula Shaker are trapped in 1996 can be shaken off then; turns out they've always been trapped in 1972 - and it's a time that suits them well.