Cheese on a burger. Fish partnered by chips. Ernie Wise stood next to Eric Morecambe.
Basically, some things make so much sense when you see them that you wonder why no-one has tried it before. thus it is with Wakefield’s finest all-brother trio being joined on stage by the walking legend that is Johnny Marr. Live, their sheer energy has usually pulled them through, but a three-piece is a three-piece and no matter how good will always be hampered by having to make an approximation of their records. Adding another guitarist is a good idea. Adding one like Johnny Marr – well, it was just destined to be good, wasn’t it?
The Cribs have always been a somewhat formulaic band – you get thundering guitars, inspirational drums and intelligent lyrics, usually a ‘woah-a-oh-oh’ singalong bit and then on to the next one. And what of it? It’s a great formula and they are very good at it. But, unsurprisingly, adding the definitive ‘indie’ guitarist has added colour to the palette. there’s more ambition, more scope and more verve. Some things never change though – Ryan Jarman appears to be as refreshed as a newt, but that’s part of the appeal; the Cribs are a great band to have a drink to.
There are many highlights, but in ‘Don’t You Want To Be Relevant’, ‘Our Bovine Public’ and the exquisitely loud ‘Men’s Needs’ they have three of the best songs in the genre since Blur called it today. The crowd reaction is proper, old school mental – the mosh pit goes all the way to the back of the hall, a fairly cavernous venue at the best of times. It’s well-judged 90 minute slot and when it goes, the audience reaction says that nobody has grudged the ticket price.
The Cribs, by sheer scope of ambition and interest in moving on, remain one of Britain’s potentially superb bands. A bit like Elbow before them, you have a feeling that one day they are going to deliver a really classic set of songs to consolidate themselves as one of the best of their generation. They have improved album upon album, a rarity in these days of instant gratification, and looked poised to get even better.
Filed under: General Stuff, gigs Tagged: | blur, Cribs, cribs abc, cribs and johnny marr, cribs live, indie, johnny marr, The Smiths
I love the Cribs, I think they are incredibly talented and very honest and straightforward. Johnny Marr adores them which is why he has joined the band. They also wrote what I think is one of my favourite opening lines of any song:
“How hard can it be?
To get a slap on the back from a room full of morons?”
I agree the addition of Johnny Marr has just made them more special. I think the album they are recording now will be worth waiting for.
Totally agree AM.