Review: The Cribs - Selling A Vibe

Selling A Vibe finds the brothers refreshingly thoughtful and assured, all achieved while sounding as rough, ready and brilliant as ever.

The Cribs were once spoken about as the UK’s most popular cult band. Lo-fi punk purveyors and producers of a sound seemingly unpolished, anthemic and full of heart, the Wakefield trio are amongst Old Blighty’s most consistent indie outfits.

On ninth effort Selling A Vibe it’s clear why such adoration is necessary. This time round, they are particularly thoughtful and reflective in focus. Yet the music maintains an infectious raw energy distinctively The Cribs.

More recently, time hasn’t been quite as smooth sailing for twins Gary (bass/vocals) and Ryan (guitar/vocals), and younger brother Ross Jarman (drums). Management disputes followed 2017’s 24-7 Rock Star Shit and had them questioning whether to continue at all. Later, 2020’s Night Network then felt like a triumph in delivery - and amongst their most critically acclaimed – until the record’s aftermath brought about a new set of challenges.

So, the brothers found themselves separated on different sides of the Atlantic due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Again, the band’s existence came into question. But once more, they survived, sailing through the choppy waters of Transatlantic collaboration.

On Selling A Vibe they don’t exactly rip it up and start again, but it does find them at their most open and vulnerable. Where previous albums were written about individual experiences, their latest is, of course, rooted in brotherhood - an unapologetic celebration of family. As usual, the melodies are typically infectious and singalong worthy. This is best heard on ‘Summer Seizure’ which uncovers a tale of love, tragedy and learning to live with yourself. It straddles a fine line between solemn and breezy.

And the dreamy riffs, delicious synth swatches and vocal harmonies offer the track up as one of the record’s strongest. Similarly, ‘A Point Too Hard to Make’ is another raw and anthemic earworm distilling everything great about The Cribs into three minutes. Staying on brand, they dive into the past once more: “Parts you played before / Don't suit you no more / Oh, I'm sure that you know that it was my mistake” admits Ryan while addressing his band’s ‘00s cultural peak.

Elsewhere, there’s plenty more to fawn over both familiar and not. On one hand you have tracks like the nostalgic-induced ‘Never the Same’ - a thrilling toe-tapper with an infectious jangly-pop riff and tight rhythm section. Then there’s songs like ‘Looking for the Wrong Guy’, a lighters-in-the-air ballad about escaping the past and grabbing second chances.

Admittedly, not everything carries immediate impact. But affection arrives eventually. Opener ‘Dark Luck’ stop starts and burns slow, whereas the fuzzy title track is only appreciated in all its pristine glory a few listens in. Others, like the bittersweet ‘Distractions’ are hooky and heartfelt. ‘Self Respect’ also stands out from the off with a funky “Michael Jackson-type bassline” and a luscious, ear grabbing riff. To finish, ‘Brothers Won’t Break’ ties it all together for a gorgeous, nuanced and heart-warming tribute to their brotherly bond.

The Cribs have been through a lot to get to this point. Older, wiser and more seasoned, Selling A Vibe finds the brothers refreshingly thoughtful and assured. All achieved while sounding as rough, ready and brilliant as ever.

8/10