The Cribs

Ignore the Ignorant

(Warner Bros.)

Don’t ask me how, but The Cribs’ fourth album Ignore the Ignorant outsold a couple of The Beatles’ re-issues. Yes, these West Yorkshire lads beat out the Fab Four. Why is this so? Is America completely missing out on The Cribs? Well, yes and no.

The latest album finds the band playing to their strengths with the sessions recorded live as a full band. Knowing that is remarkable, as the album is incredibly tight. Speaking of the band, Johnny Marr of the Smiths has joined the Cribs. Seems ol’ Johnny is keeping himself busy as a newly christened member of The Cribs and Modest Mouse.

Ignore the Ignorant is a fairly straight-up British rock ‘n’ roll album. Just try cutting through Ryan Jarman’s thick accent as he energetically goes through “We Were Aborted.” The majority of the tracks on Ignore the Ignorant are up-tempo, as the first few tracks of the album start out on a rollicking note. The only problem is that not much separates the tracks from each other. For an album that was recorded live (for the most part), it almost feels too clean. It’s as if the Cribs are playing it safe and going through the motions. Sure there are some fun parts on tracks like “Cheat on Me” or “Nothing,” but the disc tends to drag. 

Taking just a few of the songs on their own accord, it’s easy to see what makes the Cribs so likeable. They know how to churn out some good songs. Sadly, the album as a whole just sounds like an over-produced, straight-to-the-point, middle-of-the-road British rock affair.