ALBUM REVIEW: The Cribs "For All My Sisters"

With the presence of Johnny Marr now feeling like a distant daydream, The Cribs have certainly come a long way. But with the release of ‘For All My Sisters’, it’s incredibly clear that the Jarman band of brothers have truly found their niche.

With riffs that hark back to the likes of ‘Glitters Like Gold‘, opening track ‘Finally Free’ is a guitar anthem to truly sink your teeth into. Yet this track and its successor, ‘Different Angle’, somehow gives a sly wink to their new and old material simultaneously. The vibrant melodies of ‘The New Fellas‘ and ‘Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever‘ are present, but with a new-found complexity that simply leaves us in awe.

‘Burning For No One’ moves at a surprisingly leisurely pace with uncharacteristically clean, rhythmic guitar driving this offensively melodic affair. A clever change in time signature on ‘Mr. Wrong’ grants it a gratuitously heavy, head-bangingly-epic chorus with a euphoric guitar solo throw in at no extra cost. And who could forget the chugging chords, monstrous bass and contagious lead we first heard on ‘Ivory Hand’? With Ryan Jarman forging a multitude of melodies that wouldn’t be too out of place on Guitar Hero, ‘For All My Sisters’ is undoubtedly some of his best axe-work to date.

‘Simple Story’ gives us time to catch our breath with ‘City Storms’ filling us with all that Cribs nostalgia we first encountered over ten years ago, somehow still managing to remain fresh in 2015. The relentless riffs just keep coming as supporting vocals on ‘Pacific Time’ try to maintain the pace; with an outro not too dissimilar to the likes of ‘Arena Rock Encore With Full Cast’, it’s a triumph. It’s hard not to constantly worship Ryan Jarman’s lead guitar work as it ceases to steal the spotlight, with following track ‘Summer Of Chances’ being no exception. It becomes a task in itself to make it through ‘For All My Sisters’ without desperately wanting to replay each song in sheer disbelief; much in the same way you’d pinch yourself to make sure you’re not dreaming.

The looping riffs of ‘Diamond Girl’ continue this theme of sheer disbelief; how can so many memorable melodies can be condensed into one modest-length album? In turn, the sombre acoustic melodies of ‘Spring on Broadway’ explode into a full-blown assault, with a sinister chorus that hypnotically captures your attention. The melancholic, spooky riffs of ‘Pink Snow’ mark the beginning of the end, as this seven minute journey erupts into one of the most theatrical moments of ‘For All My Sisters’.

Each song plays to The Cribs’ strengths, but each track has an undeniable, distinguishable personality of its own. It’s no surprise that Gary Jarman takes lead vocals a hell of a lot more than we’d expect on ‘For All My Sisters’, but with Ryan Jarman competing for ‘World’s Most Underappreciated Guitar hero’, that’s not a change we particularly object to. ‘For All My Sisters’ is a string of consecutive hits which, to the untrained ear, could easily be mistaken for their 2013 ‘greatest hits’ album, ‘Payola’. It’s undoubtedly the best thing we’ve heard all year. 4.5/5

ALBUM REVIEW: The Cribs "For All My Sisters"

TRACK OF THE DAY: Tame Impala "Let It Happen"

In the early rise of 2015, Tame Impala announced the release of their muchly-anticipated new album; after the psychedelic hurricane that was 2012’s ‘Lonerism’.

With ‘Lonerism’ featuring tracks such as the hungover, baggy vibes of ‘Mind Mischief’ and the anthemic watercolour splashes of ‘Feels Like We Only Go Backwards’, the new release has something to live up to. Yet as always, the Aussie outfit have pulled it out of the bag with the waterfall meraki that is ‘Let It Happen’.

Not long ago, the band’s Keyboardist Jay Watson stated that the new album will be “less rock and more electronic’” it’s certainly clear in ‘Let It Happen’ that this is the case. With the distinctive lack of lead guitar yet charming charisma of crescendoing synths and the old other-worldly vocoder, the track is an absolute success. There comes flair alongside a band that can strip away any complexity and fill 8 minutes with orphic yet kaleidoscopic simplicity. The Aussie outfit have sprung back with a track that showcases what is thought to be a gateway into a new platform for Tame Impala. ‘Let It Happen’ seems to be their attempt to flaunt a simple taster of what’s yet to be developed and if this is only the introduction, I wonder what the climax is going to be!

The band has a reputation for eleutheromania; they want freedom and diffidence in their work hence the song’s motif “let it happen, just let it happen”. They seek out some sort of natural solitude that beckons you in with a breeze, only to be graced with the aroma of pine and pure earth. ‘Let It Happen’ is almost cosmic and seemingly unadulterated, peaceful isolation. As Parker croons “all this running around, trying to cover my shadow”, the lyrics seem to speak of a need for independency and finding happiness in spending time alone; it’s a topic that I don’t believe is pushed enough, hence why bands alike Tame Impala seem to strive when we look for our more adventurous side.

Laced in 1960’s/1970’s psychedelic-rock revivalism, ‘Let It Happen’ is sure to be a luxurious detox of a crowd-pleaser at future UK dates such as End of the Road Fest, Bestival and the (sadly) few dates scattered in Liverpool and Glasgow. Hopefully we’ll hear more of the new album in the near future – how about a full UK tour soon, eh?

TRACK OF THE DAY: Tame Impala "Let It Happen"

TRACK OF THE DAY: Mini Mansions "Vertigo" ft. Alex Turner

Mini Mansions latest track ‘Vertigo‘ is a mini masterpiece, aided by the tongue-twisting vocals of Alex Turner. Having recently performed at Tom Rowley’s wedding, I’m beginning to wonder if he might also be available for birthdays and bar mitzvahs too.

Los Angeles trio, Mini Mansions, are no stranger to the Arctic Monkeys frontman, having performed ‘Vertigo’ live multiple times across their American tour in 2014. However, we needn’t squint at grainy, motion-sickness-inducing YouTube videos any longer: ‘Vertigo‘ has been immortalised in all its psych-pop glory.

Opening with eerie synth and spooky piano, electronic percussion sets the pace for this undeniably danceable affair. The chorus chugs along with playful falsetto vocals and a bassline that’s somewhat hypnotic in its execution.

Alex Turner’s effortlessly sleek vocal performance is the icing on the cake of an already ambitious record: as he whispers “run for cover”, it’s hard not to get an immediate chill down your spine. It’s a collaboration that just works.

TRACK OF THE DAY: Mini Mansions "Vertigo" ft. Alex Turner