Album Review: The Cribs

the-cribs-in-the-belly-of-the-brazen-bull

The Cribs -‘In the Belly Of the Brazen Bull.’ (Wichita)

…and somehow, it comes to pass that this is none other than the Cribs’ fifth album. A few tracks have been doing the rounds, but the entire album is now upon us. In the last three years they have lost Johnny Marr as guitarist and Ryan Jarman has split with long-term girlfriend Kate Nash.

However, this should not give the impression that this is a ‘woe is me/us’ album. The band recorded part of the album with Flaming Lips/Mercury Rev producer Dave Fridmann and another part with veteran ‘recorder not producer Steve Albini. Whilst I prefer the rougher edges of the work with Albini, this is an album that shows that, this far into thire career, the band are continuing to make solid indie-rock, but without treading water; nor feeling the urge to reinvent themselves drastically or go experimental.

‘Chi-Town’ was the first track to do the rounds, and it is my favourite track on her, but over the course of the album the band manage to show that they understand the difference between anthemic and anaemic. This album won’t change your life, but it does indicate why the Cribs have managed to hold their heads so high when so many of their contemporaries have floundered.

***1/2

In the Belly Of the Brazen Bull is out now on Wichita

The Cribs -‘Chi-Town.’ mp3

Stream the album over at Stereogum

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