Album: The Cribs - 'Ignore The Ignorant'

Of course it has! The winning combination of being the biggest cult band in the country and having Johnny Marr join the gang has resulted in one hell of an album. This is The Cribs' fourth album and surely their time for main stream success.

It has been twenty two years since Marr left The Smiths and despite joining Modest Mouse three years ago, he hasn't really had the chance to do something that truly showcases how talented a guitarist he really is. With Ignore The Ignorant he has given it his all and the results are impressive. It seems like a painfully obvious comment to make, but Marr adds maturity to The Cribs youthful indie sound that enriches it and makes it all the more interesting.

That said though The Cribs have not morphed into a 'Dad rock' band, and their trademark raw recording sound is still apparent. Bug City has howling feedback and is one of my favourite tracks on the album.

Undoubtably The Cribs sound is less punk and more pop, clearly a big acknowledgment that they do want to crossover to the mainstream. The risk they take is losing their true indie credentials in the pursuit of making a hit record. I think that their mission has been accomplished - there are some brilliant tracks on Ignore The Ignorant.

We Were Aborted is an attention seeking track, with Ryan Jarman's lyrics about masturbation. Hari Kari has a sing-along quality to it and We Share The Same Skies has a strong chorus. Towards the end of the album it does get a little disappointing, for example Last Year's Snow is a bit wet.

The Cribs have always seemed like they were on the edge of something very big and Ignore The Ignorant could just be the vehicle to prove it.

www.myspace.com/thecribs

Download your copy for £5 at 7Digital and buy it from amazon for around £13