Album review: The Cribs - Ignore the Ignorant

The Cribs have made four albums since 2004, yet the Cribs remain relatively unknown outside of the United States. Their third album, Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever, was their first major label release and featured fast-paced jangly guitars and aggressive pseudo-Brit-punk vocals, and was probably the best album The Cribs have released. Their fourth album, Ignore the Ignorant, features the addition of former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, and although it continues their maturation as a band, it does not quite reach the heights of their last album.

The core sound of The Cribs’ past is still intact, but more mellow this time around. Marr is a great guitarist, but fast he is not, and his addition slows down the entire sound. Although parts of Ignore the Ignorant are much better for this mellower sound, the Cribs’ dynamic and sound doesn’t suit itself as well to this new, slower sound.

The influence of indie rock gods Sonic Youth (whose member Lee Renaldo was a guest on the last Cribs album) is still very evident throughout Ignore the Ignorant, although it is most obvious on “City of Bugs,” a six and a half minute, feedback laden manifesto that is probably the best song on the album. Another highlight includes opener “We Were Aborted,” which probably bears more resemblance to Men’s Needs than any other song on the album.

Unfortunately, the second half of the album, while enjoyable, is not exactly memorable. There isn’t a song on the album that is bad or unlistenable, but after the album is over, it’s tough to remember what they sound like. On Men’s Needs, I can still remember about half the album having not listened to it for months. Although I’ve only listened to it a few times, none of the melodies on Ignore the Ignorant have managed to worm their way into my head yet. It’s possible that, with a few more listens, the songs will start to take more shape.

So, again, I don’t hate or even dislike Ignore the Ignorant. It’s just an initial disappointment considering the strength of The Cribs’ first three albums and the strength of everything Johnny Marr has touched. Maybe this is one of those albums that needs more than the average number of listens to really sink in and display its greatness. As is, Ignore the Ignorant is a very good album that only disappoints because it isn’t “great.”
Rating: 7/10