Music Monday with PLC is a weekly feature written by my husband, Pat.
Find out the back story + check out the full archives HERE .
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The Cribs : In the Belly of the Brazen Bull
[photo by jennifer; review by pat; babies by jennifer + pat]
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I remember when the girls were first born. Being the tiny-but-mighty twins that they were, they spent the first few months sleeping together in the same crib. They seemed to like being close (after all, they had spent so much time together already). It was kind of like having a sleepover every night. But, sometimes even family needs some space and a little time apart. I like to think she was singing in this picture, but apparently enough was enough. Soon after this, they each had their own crib; now they have their own rooms. And, they constantly ask when they can have a sleepover.
The Cribs are a three piece rock band out of England. Meet the Jarmons: twins Gary and Ryan and younger brother Ross. Together they have been kicking up some British dust since their 2004 debut. On their new album In the Belly of the Brazen Bull (2012, Wichita Recordings), The Cribs charge straight ahead with some solid indie guitar rock coupled with wholehearted vocals and lyrics.
Check out the song "Glitters Like Gold" (extra points for the Replacements shirt and killer chorus guitar hook) -
This album brings more of a louder/noisier approach back into The Cribs' sound. This is probably mostly due to the band working with engineer Steve Albini for part of this album. Also, a majority of the album is produced by Dave Fridmann, who expertly tempers the noise with great sonic sounds, guitar and otherwordly, adding many layers to the album, a la his awesome work with The Flaming Lips. Fridmann is careful to let the vocals lead when appropriate, but also have the boys let ‘er rip when the song calls for it. Especially on the great cuatro punch piece that closes the album: “Stalagmites”, “Like a Gift Giver”, “Butterflies” and “Arena Rock Encore with Full Cast”. These songs twist and turn like a winding road of indie rock when taken as a four-song suite. Calling to mind The Flaming Lips, The Replacements, The Smiths, Nirvana and Green Day. This is a great cohesive piece that puts the album gently to bed with a nice fade out while the band plays on into arena rock and roll eternity.
Also on the hit parade is their song “Come On, Be a No One” taken here from the BBC -
Very intriguing as well is the fact that famed Smiths' guitarist Johnny Marr joined The Cribs from 2008-2011 when they toured together and recorded another great album Ignore the Ignorant. So if they were good enough for Johnny Marr to join, they should certainly at least be worth a listen from you and me.
- PLC
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MORE:
- last week - The Vaccines
- a while back - Metric
- last season - Norah Jones
- full archive of Music Monday with PLC - HERE
