I don't understand how Bon Jovi has a review on Sputnikmusic and the Cribs don't. They deserve it, these boys from England. You've probably heard of them - they've recorded enough songs in fancy studios, and worked through two semi-successful records - to gain some wind in the garage music scene. Still, if you haven't, they are; Ryan, Gary, and Ross Jarman, three brothers from Wakefield. Their new disk, "The New Fellas" definitely deserves a listen, whether you're a fan of the so called "garage rock"-ish genre, or not. Their self-titled debut record was an under produced gem, and they follow the same pattern for "The New Fellas".
Purposefully placed guitar mash ups and screeches, as well as drum solos from un-organized drum kits add to the underground feel of this album, although it was produced under Wichita, at a bells and whistles equipped studio.
I can think of a reason they'd like their sound like that. First of all, every time you have mainstream, they'll be people who'll want the complete opposite; for every Mary J Blige, they're going to be some punk who wants to get tattooed and listen to Slayer. The Cribs are the pleasant in-between; although they've got enough weird lyrics and harsh instrumentals to stray away from mainstream pop, they're also included enough hooks and catchy melodies to offer the listener a pleasant experience.
And when I say pop hooks, I use the term strongly. There are songs scattered in this album that are catchy as hell. But it's no Fall Out Boy record, partly because of the Crib's weird way of making the songs sound as if they had been put together in five minutes. What you get is rickety sweet sound, played roughly enough to attract a wide audience.
Take "Hey Scenesters" for example. You can sing along with the chorus, and even the bridge and verses, but would you want to? The lyrics are "out there", and they add an authentic vibe to a song that could easily be a top ten single. Want a top ten single? "Martell". A great piece of work, with a hook that's easy to sing along too, and raise your hands to at a concert. The guitar work should be noted here as well, simply because it's used so freely.
The Cribs want you all to themselves in the record. Why else would they put so many bloody mantra-like songs on it; "Mirror Kisses" is begging you to chant along to it, right from the get go. But for every "Mirror ..." they're "I'm Alright Me", an awkward, not-going-anywhere
thing splattered onto the album.
It's times when the Cribs have no idea where to go that this album gets hard to listen to. They're good at roughing up a rowdy crowd with harsh backbeats and lovely melodies, but when they cross into "ballad" territory, the group "splits".
"It Was Only Love" is like listening to a not-ready-for-this choir; very awkward, and you don't know whether to laugh or yawn. But then, ah!, sweet release. (Sorry for the "!", Panic's rubbing off on me) The Cribs give us enough double-melody riots like the tittle track, "The New Fellas", and the taunting "The Wrong Way to Be", to keep us glued.
Overall, a cracking album. Should you check it out, be sure to hit up songs like, "The New Fellas", "Things Aren't Gonna Change", "Mirror Kisses", "The Wrong Way To Be" and "Martell". These tracks, among a few others, show that the group has at least a wee bit sense of direction. Good on, them.
