Album Details

• Artist: The Cribs
• Album: Ignore The Ignorant
• Label: Wichita
• Year of Release: 2009
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: archelon on 2009-09-16

For some reason I can't fathom, the Cribs have long been filed next to indiebollocks in most people's internal music roster - perhaps it was the Yorkshire accents, or the perfect coiffed hair. Suffice to say they shattered most of those illusions a long time ago, but more so at this year's Reading festival, introducing some of the new stuff they've been up to.

Formerly just the Jarman brothers, they dragged themselves drunkenly onstage with Johnny Marr, to play a formidable set. Yes, Johnny Marr. The same Johnny Marr, not just as a random addition but a fully-fledged band member, looking like a drunken uncle next to the spritely Jarmans. But he does give this album something extra, and it's not just indie cred. Despite the record having a more restrained sound most of the time, the creativity is still there, and some of the licks and hooks are hotter than hell.

It's still incredibly likeable and there is studied subtlety at play throughout most of the album, but it's at its best when it's Cribs-like - raw and loose and lo-fi. And of course there are some low points - 'Save Your Secrets' is devoid of most anything for example. Maybe they need to grow up a litte more disgracefully.

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