The Cribs – 'Men’s Needs' (Wichita) Released 14/05/07

Deadpan Yorkshire indie types The Cribs are back with a taster from their forthcoming album, ‘Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever,’ and this time they sound uncannily like The Strokes circa ‘Room On Fire.’ This isn’t a bad thing, of course, as this is more melodic and catchy than a lot of their previous material. The sticking point for most people, as always, will be singer Ryan Jarvis. He appears to be so desperate to avoid becoming another indie try-hard that he sounds as if he may nod off at any moment. That is, except for on the horribly grating chorus where he employs a vocal technique best known as ‘shouting.’ I’m all for bands shunning the sycophantic ‘scenester’ culture that music seems to revolve around nowadays, but when the band’s lead singer sounds like he can’t be arsed with the whole thing, then why should the rest of us? Must try harder.