The Cribs Don’t Need Johnny Marr
Don’t get me wrong, I love the guy. He’s a guitar hero and a legend. But the Alex Kapranos produced Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever album is the cream of The Cribs‘ output so far – a sparser feel, taut, driven.. it’s easier to hear the songs, it’s easier to (gulp) move to, easier to sing to.
The new album? Layered, rock-y.. too much, for me. Too dense. Too complex.
But a legend is a legend, so we popped along to the Juice Bar at the Windsor in Parnell to get a blast of the new Cribs experience, to see if it all made more sense.
A false start: we were driven from the venue by the execrable yowling of Bandicoot. Yup, I know Pearl is Don McGlashan‘s kid. I know they’re young. It’s OK to be arch and fey and chaotic. But learn how to play first, then un-learn it. I got the impression they’d just met each other and their instruments. Not good.
A quick sparkling burst of Collapsing Cities, and then on to the main event, hampered by stuffy sound (please god I should go to a gig in Auckland with a decent PA.. one day it may happen but in the meantime, Kiwi soundmen, sharpen up your act or I’ll be pushing you off the mixing desk and doing it myself). The Cribs were fiery and committed, and they put everything into it, and Ryan’s mic stand gets ever shorter.. but the old songs came over by far the best, even ‘Hey, Scenesters’. And that was a shame, because I like the Jarmans and I want more great music from them.
But linking up with an ex-Smith is a detour down a one way street. Turn around, guys. More songs like this, please:
I sort-of half agree with you. I was also a bit concerned when Johnny Marr joined The Cribs. “They don’t need him” I thought, “they can already do it on their own”. And the “Men’s Needs” album is brilliant, no question.
But then “Ignore The Ignorant” came out. I put it in the car and listened to it a dozen times and now I like it. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that some of the songs (“Cheat On Me”, “We Were Aborted”, “Victim of Mass Production”) are as good as anything they’ve ever done.
So, please, don’t give up on them. Give them another chance.
Incidentally, for a great version of “I’m A Realist”, check out this one…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssFYSezREkg
I think the key for me is some of the songs on ‘Ignore..’ are as good, whereas I think ALL of ‘Men’s Needs..’ is top class, rough edges and all, and shows more of what The Cribs are about. No, I’m not giving up on them. Not ‘Ancient History’ quite yet – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oz93yLaO2EI