The Cribs, the long-standing indie trio from Wakefield, have returned with their ninth album “Selling a Vibe,” a reflective and confident offering that solidifies their status as elder statesmen of the British music scene. Led by the Jarman brothers – Ryan, Ro, and Gary – the band has weathered the highs and lows of the industry, emerging with a unique perspective and a sound that remains distinctly their own.
Produced by Patrick Wimberly, formerly of Chairlift, “Selling a Vibe” strikes a perfect balance between the band’s signature distorted guitars and sharp, punchy songwriting. While retaining the core Cribs aesthetic, the album incorporates a faint 80s pop sheen and a driving drum machine pulse, adding a fresh layer to their established sound.
The lyrics on “Selling a Vibe” reflect the band’s hard-earned wisdom, with a rueful eye cast towards their past. Tracks like the title track and “You’ll Tell Me Anything” allude to the band’s legal battles with their former label, while “Summer Seizure” and “Looking for the Wrong Guy” grapple with the loss of innocence that often accompanies longevity in the music industry.
Despite these challenges, the Cribs have remained steadfast in their commitment to their craft. As Gary Jarman noted in a BBC podcast on the rise and fall of indie sleaze, the band has always been slightly apart from the scene, more aligned with the “proper indie” ethos of a pre-Britpop era – one that valued artistic freedom over mainstream success.
This sense of distance has served the Cribs well, allowing them to forge their own path and maintain a loyal cult following. Unlike their more commercially successful peers, the band’s albums have sold respectably rather than astoundingly, but they have managed to sustain a steady stream of Top 10 records long after the 2000s alt-rock vogue had passed.
On “Selling a Vibe,” the Cribs wear their longevity and elder statesman status with a palpable confidence. The songs are uniformly well-written and powerful, hitting a perfect balance between rawness and polish. As the album’s closing track, “Brothers Won’t Break,” suggests, the Jarman siblings have found strength in their fraternal bond, weathering the challenges of the industry and emerging with their integrity intact.
In an era where musical trends come and go, the Cribs’ enduring appeal lies in their steadfast commitment to their craft and their refusal to compromise their artistic vision. “Selling a Vibe” is a testament to their resilience, a reminder that true artistry can transcend the fleeting nature of popular culture.
