For the uninitiated, the most likely touchstone for The Cribs‘ sneering approach to guitar-centric, three minute rock ‘n roll songs will be the music of The Strokes. Although the former hail from the other side of the Atlantic, the two groups share the same penchants for slovenly fashionability and taut songwriting, not to mention the confidently slurred brio of those who are much hipper than you will ever be. Where The Strokes cultivated their cool factor through stylists and photo sessions, The Cribs have required nothing more than their music to convey their swagger over the course of two previous full lengths.
Of course, The Cribs are more than The Strokes sans hair and makeup crew and arena level popularity. For one, they’ve always been more self-aware and self-deprecating than many of their counterparts, particularly UK colleagues like Razorlight and the Futureheads. This sense of humor is on display on their new third release, Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever, on songs like “I’m A Realist.” On it, Ryan Jarman proclaims “I’m a realist! I’m a romantic!” before deciding the truth is “I’m indecisive and that’s about it.”
