Ignore the Ignorant

by 
AlbumSep 07 / 200912 songs, 47m 50s96%
Post-Punk Revival Indie Rock
Popular

The Cribs display a greater discipline and focus on *Ignore the Ignorant*, tempering their rough-hewn attack with strategic refinements. The obvious new element here is the presence of guitarist Johnny Marr, whose primal riffage for the Smiths continues to be a key influence on modern rock. Marr’s gritty yet cogent playing fits the Cribs’ serrated melodies quite comfortably, lending pop-laced tunes like “Hari Kari” and the album’s title number extra heft. As before, lead singer Ryan Jarman defines the band’s attitude with his aggrieved, slightly cheeky swagger and his vinegary vocal delivery gives the chronic discontent of “We Were Aborted,” “Cheat On Me” and “Victim of Mass Production” a streetwise authority. “Emasculate Me” and “Nothing” pick up the generally morose tempo of the album with bursts of early punk effervescence. Jarman releases his inner Iggy Pop on lounge-tinged tracks like “We Share the Same Skies” and “Stick to Yr Guns.” With Marr on board, the Cribs display a greater maturity while retaining the guttersnipe edge that made their earlier records so much fun.

7.0 / 10

Smiths guitar hero Johnny Marr joins one of the brightest lights of post-Libertines UK rock for their fourth album.

D+

On their 2004 self-titled debut, The Cribs set themselves apart from the so-called “landfill indie” bands, in spite of the generic name and guitar-bass-drums setup: The Cribs had a wit and verve their compatriots couldn’t match. Part of that came from the trio’s minimal instrumentation, which produced an endearingly…

“But it sounds good: it’s been a decade of The Cribs! And what would you have done without us?”

AllMusic provides comprehensive music info including reviews and biographies. Get recommendations for new music to listen to, stream or own.

The addition of iconic Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr brings discernible maturity to the structure of The Cribs' fourth album.

7 / 10

After months of rumour and various live appearances Johnny Marr finally makes his debut as a fully fledged Crib on the band's fourth album.

<p>The campaign for real indie continues with the surprise addition of Johnny Marr, writes <strong>Johnny Davis</strong></p>

6 / 10

Opening your album with a track called “We Were Aborted”? It’s the Cribs all right, calling back to their glory days of blood and gore, backs split...

<p>Their big choruses and authentic raw charm are still abundant, says<strong> Betty Clarke</strong></p>

Album Reviews: The Cribs - Ignore The Ignorant

The latest Rock/Pop CDs reviewed

8 / 10