Review Summary: An album who's singles are worth buying the record for, but one cannot help being slightly disappointed by the album tracks. Nevertheless, The New Fellas is a very enjoyable, breezy listen, and one that's sure to get you dancing, whether you like it or no
For me, the Cribs are a band that provide are the perfect antithesis of the modern indie scene. Unfocused on image, they care little about the fashion trends that good bands are supposed to follow, and concentrate rather on deliver uncompromising, yet ruthlessly catchy songs. Yes, Ryan Jarman (nor Gary Jarman) does not have the most aesthetically pleasing voice in the history of modern popular music, yet what he lacks in talent he makes up for in unrequited effort and passion. The riffs are catchy, the basslines are thumping, and the drumming enthusiastic. Basically, they have the musical connection that a band of brothers ought to have (Jackson 5, the Osmonds to name some awful examples).
On this the bands second album, the band have moved away from the raw, rough and ready sound of their eponymous first album and created an album filled with singles that truly capture the imagination (which may be their downfall. Here is a track guide:
1. Hey Scenesters:
An absolutely rip-roaring start to an album, Hey Scenesters truly defines the Cribs, with brothers Jarman almost yelling a sorry diatribe of Scene Kids who simply HAVE to fit in, and the troubles this causes. Backed up by a memorable bassline, and peppered with the Cribs trademark dual-singing, this is definitely one of the stand-outs of the album.
2. I'm Alright Me
After a cracking start to the album, I'm Alright Me carries on the trend. A magnificent pop song, with a catchy hook, and Ryan brutally denounce those cool kids once more, typified by the fantastic line 'What's that we're history? Oh really? That's funny.' a a short snappy single; that does however degenerate towards the end with the repeated refrain of 'Take drugs, don't eat, have contempt for those you meet' repeatedly bellowed with a frantic almost Who-like chaotic ending in the background. Nut nonetheless, a very strong song.
3. Martell
Perhaps this is the first sign of weakness. Again very witty lyrics dominate this track (How hard can it be to get a slap on the back from a room full of morons?), yet I cannot help but think there is something lacking. Possibly it is the slightly over-simplistic chorus of 'Someone's got there eye on you, wooooahohohh', maybe its the quite grating guitar, it just isn't as well-defined as the first two tracks, yet, it still represents a fairly strong album track.
4. Mirror Kissers
All is forgiven on this the star trak of the album, a crashing riff complimented with a brilliant bassline opens the frenzy, before Ryan snarls about the vain, self-loving types that frequent the world. Using an unusual vocabulary, as 'hipsters' was never very cool even in the 70s, this song belies the bizarre talent the Cribs possess in both writing brutally observant lyrics intertwined with the catchiest of hooks. Superb.
5. We Can No Longer Cheat You
Another fantastic attempt at an edgy pop-rock song is We Can No Longer Cheat You, no introduction is needed on this track, as the lyrics rip in from approximately 00:01 seconds.. 'I lost my hat to a dancer!' almost seems like a throwback to a distant era. Ryan is at his most gravelly on this song (which is very gravelly), but this adds to the atmosphere of the song, Ryan wailing as if he has just returned from a very hard night, retelling the story of the evening before. A very well constructed song.
6. It Was Only Love
The beginning of the end. After a fantastic start, the album really begins to fade from this point onwards. It is my firm belief that the band found a harmonica in a skip and decided to incorporate it on the album, as is its shrieking irrelevance. Ryan sounds at his most drearily dull on the song, causing a friend of mine to claim that this song gives him a headache. Next!
7. The New Fellas
The title track of the album is by no means spectacular. By this point the Wakefield drone has a Marmite effect. Either you love it and continue declaring 'Woo I love the Cribs!', or you skip the last 5 tracks and moan about no-one making a cohesive album these days. I have figured this is entirely dependant on mood, I have done both needless to say. However, The New Fellas is a decent track in its own right, with an above-average musical contribution, it's just the lyrics department that is somewhat lacking. 'You were always late but you always had a story' is a bad line to repeat when it is rather clichéd. Average.
8. Hello? Oh..
Terrible. What sounds like a drinking song is fortunately rather short and definitely the weakest point on the album. The lyrics aren't terrible, the music just compliments them in no way whatsoever.
9. The Wrong Way To Be
Again a distinctly mediocre effort. It is very similar in format to It Was Only Love, and meanders along through a now very tired formula of lyrics about how a rock lifestyle has a negative impact on morals. Weak.
10. Haunted
This song is another for the waste paper bin. An attempt at melancholy backfires badly, with this jangly guitar riff accompanied by the word haunted being used an unhealthy amount of times, is not a recipe for a good song. Once more, I am glad for its briefness.
11. Things Aren't Gonna Change
It is me or do Cribs songs have incredibly similar names. However! There is finally a decent song on the second half of the album!! Jubilations! The guitar on this track is sublime, and the change in tone of the song half way through is a welcome surprise. The lyrics are sung jointly by Ryan and Gary, and the track is given added impetus by this, a catchy closer to a promising album.
It is such a shame that the first 5 tracks on this album were not matched by the last 5/6, saying that, it is worth a listen simply for its refreshing take on current trends, and the excellent guitar and bass work of Brothers Jarman. Progress for a band who have clear potential to be massive.
