The Cribs - Ignore The Ignorant (Album Review)

Ok, so for those who are unfamiliar with the Cribs they are three brothers from Wakefield in Yorkshire who make loud, honest and catchyasfuck indie rock anthems. The trio have thus far released three brilliant records, each one progressing in terms of production and songwriting and on their fourth album they have a fourth member; guitar hero former Smiths legend 'Jonny Marr'. So, in hindsight this should be the best Cribs record to date, right?
Opening with the big guitars and the driving beats of Ross Jarmen, 'We Were Aborted' is cracking way to start the record with a masive chorus and passionate vocals from Ryan and Gary Jarmen (Guitarist and Bassist respectively). Infact, for the most of the record it seems that the vocals have that punkish snarl that was was prominet in the first two Cribs records, and as their last record 'Mens Needs, Womens Needs, Whatever' had a slightly cleaner feel to it, its good to hear a bit of rawniess back in the Cribs production. Despite the raw vocals, the rest of the record quite a clean and very American feel to it production wise, with the guitars sounding huge in every track and of course the rhyhtm section driving through underneath beasts such as the epic 'City Of Bugs' and perfect indie pop tones of lead single 'Cheat On Me'. Another difference with this record is how it seems to be a much mellowier affair that the bands previous efforts and is quite a poppy record, particually on tracks such as the gloriously upbeat 'We Share The Same Skies' and the radio friendly grooves of 'Hari Kari'. This record still has the passion and punk-like energy of the last three records but it seems that the enterance of Jonny Marr has made the band sound slightly more melodic. Not that we're complaining of course, as this record has some brilliant moments but in places it does feel like we're listening to a poppier version of The Smiths (example: 'Last Year's Snow'). But if im honest, its actually quite refreshing to hear the Cribs try something out different within their sound and instead of trying sharpening their sound evern more, (like they have done up until this point) they have expanded their sound, tightened up and calmed down abit and have made a great guitar record and leaves alot of promise for album 5!

Rating: 7/10
Download: We Were Aborted / City Of Bugs / We Share The Same Skies

'Ignore The Ignorant' is out on September 8th through Witchia records.