There is alot to be said for 'The Cribs' guerilla attack on the indie mainstream, while they have been around touring and releasing singles since 2003 I think it is fair to say they hadn't reached the masses until the release of 'Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever', their 3rd album released in early 2007.  

So, why is this? I think there are many reasons, aesthetically they have bad hair and bad clothes & vocally they are unorthodox, in that technically speaking, they can't sing. Primarily however, I believe they have actively avoided and rejected it and only through traditional Indie/punk values of a very heavy touring schedule and vehemently intense live shows have they gathered a now massive cult following.

There music speaks for itself though with thier singles throughout their 3 albums proving their talent at delivering wry & witty lyrics over ludicrously catchy riffs and loud and dirty basslines. And, to be fair to them, some of their best tracks remain unreleased.

Ultimately though, this band are so good because they know how to deliver their tracks live. Every member of this band show charisma on stage, with drummer Ross frequently standing on his drum stool to get a piece of the action. The tracks have the BPM, anthemic sing along factor and shambolic, anarchic delivery to more than involve the crowd and make their gigs something special.

If you don't know their music listen to 'Our Bovine Public', the perfect track to summarise their musical style and ethos.

Finally, ex-Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr has officially become the fourth member of 'The Cribs' which for any Cribs fan is an interesting development. With their sound up until now being distinctly representative of a 3-piece band with the single guitar/bass combination working wonderfully up until this point, suffice to say the addition will impact on their sound and style. What comes next is a new era for 'The Cribs' and I know that I am one of many that stands in eager anticipation of what is to follow. I'm almost certain it will be amazing!