The Cribs - 'The New Fellas' (Witchita) Released 20/06/05

Already hailed as one of the best new live bands of late, The Cribs deliver an upbeat, punchy, fun slice of scatty indie rawwwk.  Although not exactly diverse in style, thier well honed punky beats and clipped vocals are superb for what they are. 


'Hey Scenesters' kicks off the party with a comical social comment on how 'alternative' we are all so desperate to become.  'I'm Alright Me' is of a similar narrative, and the lyrics are just as cheeky as the madly catchy clean riffs. The shouty bit at the end "take drugs, don't eat" is a hilariously wry observation  on the ever changing credentials of cool. 'Martell' revolves around "a room full of morons" and trips down the similarly sharp, funky beat that is fast establishing this album.  Thank God for a bit of diversity, to be found in 'We Can No Longer Cheat You', with the opening few chords not sounding
dis-similar to Hendrix's 'Purple Haze'. The whole album has echo's of the self  depricating wittisisms of 10cc, with 'It Was Only Love' parralelling 'I'm Not In Love'.

The second half of the album ventures slowly away from what clearly feels most comfortable for The Cribs, with the catchy choral chant-like make up of 'Hello? Oh...' offering a different, more interesting pace.  The risk of staleness seems to be falling away.

Overall, it's clear to see why these dudes are commanding such live respect - they are quirky, energetic and good fun.  The album in hardcopy however, seems to lack a certain weight of substance, something that with a little time will surely and easily evolve.