The Cribs - Ignore The Ignorant

What makes this Cribs album more exciting, is that a British guitar legend has joined them for their fourth effort. No it's not Pete Townsend or Eric Clapton... but Johnny Marr from The Smiths. What Johnny Marr adds to The Cribs is that extra layer of guitar that the former trio were missing and he also adds that extra edge to The Cribs to, almost making them sound Smiths-like, but don't worry you hardcore Cribs fans, the brothers ain't trying to be Morrissey or anything and a follow up to 2007's 'Men's Needs, Woman's Needs, Whatever' was always going to be a challenge, because for The Cribs, that album was an adventurous one... although 'Ignore The Ignorant' goes back to the style of 'The New Fellas' with a more Pop-Rock direction and of course with the Marr.

The first song of 'Ignore The Ignorant' being 'We Were Aborted' and it's got a catchy guitar riff to it, notable in the intro and plus trademark Cribs chants as they scream 'To Make You Feel Important, Cause You Knew We Were Aborted'. Next up is 'Cheat On Me' and one could say that Johnny Marr's influence is more prominent on this song, with that clean poppy guitar sound that he made his corn through-out the years with The Smiths, one would suggest he's not lost his touch in terms of what he does best. However, the brothers do their part to, Ryan's vocals are crisp and husky and Ross's drumming is elegant and works itself around the song perfectly. 'Ignore The Ignorant' doesn't stop there with it's fast pace start, The Cribs dabble in pop rock expertly, and this is demonstrated in 'We Share The Same Skies'. Johnny Marr also adds his wisdom to it, because with the Smiths, his smooth layers of pop hooks was a key element with them and it certainly has rubbed of on The Cribs. What is brilliant about 'We Share The Same Skies' is that it highlights that The Cribs are not afraid to show their pop side, it's catchy in every direction it goes in, heavy enough for even the more 'mental' Cribs fans and most of all, The Cribs stick to their roots with their chant-like tunes.

The most adventurous song on The Cribs fourth album, would be 'City Of Bugs' an epic six minute pop rock anthem, with a slight twist however, it's dark and quite dreamy in parts, lyrically the song is quite a breeze with self loathing lyrics like 'I'm messed up baby like the Berlin Wall' and catchy rhymes like 'I was born out of glass I'll return there at last in a shattering climax'.

'Ignore The Ignorant' started of in a fast paced typical Cribs style, although, unlike the first half of the album, the second half just simply replicates itself and drags things out. Although, in 'Victim of Mass Production', being one of the better songs of the second half, has it's usual Cribs catchy chorus and even has a beauty of a guitar solo, which should make their fans dance in complete madness at their concerts.

Britain's music scene... or lack of, maybe, is probably one of the biggest problems in it's industry and having The Cribs as one of Britain's biggest 'cult' bands is maybe a bit of a problem to, because really... it could be better than that. But on 'Ignore The Ignorant' The Cribs have proved for the second time, after 'Men's Needs...' that they're one of the few modern 'Indie' bands that are not cashing in on the scene and having their ideas and sense of direction, even Johnny Marr joining them speaks volume.

4/5


Linus Broadbent.