Audio Current

1. We Were Aborted 2. Cheat On Me 3. We Share The Same Skies 4. City Of Bugs 5. Hari Kari 6. Last Year's Show 7. Emasculate Me 8. Ignore The Ignorant 9. Save Your Secrets 10. Nothing 11. Victim Of Mass Production 12. Stick To Yr Guns 13. Is Anybody There?

The Cribs (Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England)

(2009) LP – Ignore The Ignorant (Wichita)

Post Punk / Indie Rock

Ryan Jarman (Vocals, Guitar)

Gary Jarman (Vocals, Bass)

Ross Jarman (Drums)

Johnny ‘Jarman’ Marr (Guitar)

(A live clip of ‘We Were Aborted’)

I chatted with Ryan after their last show at the Casbah in San Diego, CA.  It was right around the release of their 3^rd album, Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever, which had just achieved mainstream success.  He was a real down-to-earth fella, very approachable and charismatic.  He told me they almost didn’t make it to San Diego because they got in trouble the previous night in Las Vegas.  The band had an outrageous party, in their hotel room, and were caught with all sorts of contraband, but they were released with only a warning because of their new status.

I have seen them live three times and they always put on a stunner.  They’re one of those special bands that put their heart and soul into their music, while loving every minute of it.

They are one of those few bands that get better with every album.  They could have repeated the formula of their first two albums and their status of the most popular cult band in the UK would still be intact.  Instead, they push themselves harder and harder to create something new.

Their latest album, Ignore the Ignorant, is easily their best.  With the added addition of Johnny Marr, famed guitarist of The Smiths, the Cribs become The Super Cribs.  Their songs have never sounded so widescreen, Marr adds pure sonic emotion to Ryan’s pop melodies.  Don’t get me wrong I love the direct rhythms and hooks that were the basis of the previous cribs classics.  But the depth created by the two-guitar interplay is magnificent.  With every listen you will find hidden melodies and new hooks to make the hairs on your head stand-up.   Any of the songs off this album could be singles.

“Cheat On Me”, recalls The Smiths.  “Hari Kari”, is the closest thing to New Fellas era Cribs, simply classic.  “We Share The Same Skies”, is just  a beautiful love song melody with added Johnny Marr guitar bends.  “Save Your Secrets”,  slows the pace and woes the listener with a Cribs-style lullaby.  Every one should love The Cribs!

*//Buy It

Cool like:  The Strokes, The Smiths, Comet Gain, Huggy Bear, Franz Ferdinand, The Maccabees, Bombay Bicycle Club, The Foals, The Mystery Jets