The Cribs have returned with their 9th studio album Selling a Vibe released by the Play it Again Sam label -their first in five years, and it feels wonderful to have them back again. The veterans of the indie rock scene have outlasted many of their peers and continue to create music that showcases the chemistry of the band. Twin brothers Gary and Ryan and their younger brother Ross have created an album that is more introspective in nature but still carries their trademark Cribs sound.
The band have been through a lot since they first starting playing gigs together in 2001 and this album reflects the bonds that the three Jarman brothers have rediscovered. The band were at a crossroads while trying to record previous record The Night Network having to fight in court to have their recording rights from their earlier releases returned to them. Having come through this the band have said that this album recognizes their family relationships more than previous releases may have.
They have always attracted producers with their own illustrious musical history from Edwyn Collins (The New Fellas), Alex Kapranos (Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever) to Steve Albini and Dave Fridmann (In the Belly of the Brazen Bull). Production responsibilities for Selling a Vibe were provided by Patrick Wimberly who added a pop sheen to the album but did not lose the spirited essence of the band. There is a more reflective feeling to the album while it still packs the emotional punch and tautness that we come to expect from The Cribs.
The title track of the album has the band casting their glance at the commodification of music wryly singing “We could hide ourselves away/ Protect ourselves forever/ Still we will remember/ Always they’re selling a vibe”. The Cribs seem like a band that has always tried to follow their own path and even when they have been included with other indie guitar bands they stand out with their authenticity and independence. ‘A Point too Hard to make’ is an earworm of a song itching to take it’s place on the setlist alongside ‘Never the Same’ and ‘Summer Seizures’. “Looking for the Wrong Guy” feels like an emotional exorcism capturing a sense of dislocation as Ryan attempts to face personal difficulties singing “I am just wasting away watching the time go by”. Repeated listens lead to new personal favourites marking the quality of the depth of the album.
The album was recorded in the studio apart from ‘Brothers won’t break ‘ which was recorded in a Portland basement. The lyrics “But there’ll never be any shame/For the things we would never change/After all this time holding the line” summing up the resilience and strength of the family bonds and never say die nature of the band. The punk rock ethos of the band resonates strongly with their die hard fans and makes us feel like we are part of their gang. Some bands come and go while others get their hooks in you making everything that much better. The Cribs is definitely one of those special bands.
As this is being written the album is in the running to become the Number One album for the week which would be a just reward for this compelling, catchy, grown up record. They are finishing up a short album release tour (they were amazing as always at Circuit in Kingston last week) and are touring and playing festivals in the coming months. Don’t miss your chance to see one of the finest live bands around so you can hear how well these new songs sound alongside the rest of their incredible set.
The Cribs Website | Instagram | Facebook
UK Dates
March 17- Manchester – Gorilla
March 18-Newcastle- Boiler Shop
March 20-Sheffield- Foundry
March 21 Manchester – Albert Hall
March 22 Birmingham- O2 Institute
March 24 Nottingham – Rock City
March 25 Cardiff – Tramshed
March 27 and 26- Brighton- Concorde 2
Reviewed by Jason McDonald @jaygigphotos.bsky.social
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