The Cribs' latest release, 'Selling a Vibe', is a masterclass in refinement and nuance. 22 years into their career, the band still manages to craft songs that are both timeless and contemporary.
While they were never part of the mainstream mid-00s indie scene, which prioritized commercial success over artistic freedom, The Cribs have carved out their own niche. They've always been more interested in creating music that's "proper indie," with a focus on melody and songwriting rather than chasing Top 40 hits.
On 'Selling a Vibe', the band wears their longevity proudly. Produced by Caroline Polachek's former Chairlift collaborator Patrick Wimberly, the album has a confident, streamlined sound that builds on their previous work. The result is an album that feels both familiar and new, with each song hitting a perfect balance between catchy hooks and meaningful lyrics.
Throughout 'Selling a Vibe', the band tackles themes of experience, loss, and the passage of time. Tracks like "Summer Seizures" and "Looking for the Wrong Guy" deal with the pain of growing up and losing one's innocence, while songs like "Distractions" reflect on the fleeting nature of youth and excess.
One of the standout features of 'Selling a Vibe' is its production quality. The drums are sharp, the guitars are distorted to perfection, and the melodies soar. But what truly sets the album apart is its songwriting – every track has been crafted with care and attention to detail, ensuring that nothing feels overworked or slick.
Ultimately, 'Selling a Vibe' is an album about the power of longevity and artistic freedom. The Cribs have never compromised their vision in pursuit of mainstream success, and it's clear that they've earned their place as one of the most respected bands in indie rock. Their music may not be flashy or attention-grabbing, but it's authentic, meaningful, and – above all – incredibly well-written.
This week, Alexis also listened to Augustin Bousfield's 'Love Corruption', a synth-infused electro-pop album that showcases the Bradford-based artist's unique sound.
While they were never part of the mainstream mid-00s indie scene, which prioritized commercial success over artistic freedom, The Cribs have carved out their own niche. They've always been more interested in creating music that's "proper indie," with a focus on melody and songwriting rather than chasing Top 40 hits.
On 'Selling a Vibe', the band wears their longevity proudly. Produced by Caroline Polachek's former Chairlift collaborator Patrick Wimberly, the album has a confident, streamlined sound that builds on their previous work. The result is an album that feels both familiar and new, with each song hitting a perfect balance between catchy hooks and meaningful lyrics.
Throughout 'Selling a Vibe', the band tackles themes of experience, loss, and the passage of time. Tracks like "Summer Seizures" and "Looking for the Wrong Guy" deal with the pain of growing up and losing one's innocence, while songs like "Distractions" reflect on the fleeting nature of youth and excess.
One of the standout features of 'Selling a Vibe' is its production quality. The drums are sharp, the guitars are distorted to perfection, and the melodies soar. But what truly sets the album apart is its songwriting – every track has been crafted with care and attention to detail, ensuring that nothing feels overworked or slick.
Ultimately, 'Selling a Vibe' is an album about the power of longevity and artistic freedom. The Cribs have never compromised their vision in pursuit of mainstream success, and it's clear that they've earned their place as one of the most respected bands in indie rock. Their music may not be flashy or attention-grabbing, but it's authentic, meaningful, and – above all – incredibly well-written.
This week, Alexis also listened to Augustin Bousfield's 'Love Corruption', a synth-infused electro-pop album that showcases the Bradford-based artist's unique sound.
I gotta say, The Cribs are one of those bands that just gets better with age, you know? 22 years into their career and they're still putting out music that feels so true to themselves. They never chased mainstream success, which is refreshing – it's like they've always been the cool kids who were happy to make music on their own terms.
I'm loving The Cribs' latest release, it's like they're speaking directly to my soul. I mean, 22 years in and they still haven't compromised their vision? That's what indie rock is all about! 
And I love how they've carved out their own niche, not trying to fit into the mainstream mold. The production on 'Selling a Vibe' is top notch too, it's like a masterclass in how to make a song pop without being too over-the-top.
I think what sets The Cribs apart is their dedication to crafting music that's true to themselves, even when it's not the most commercial choice. It's like they're saying, "We've been around for 22 years, and we still have something to say." 
And can't forget how great the production sounds! 
! I've been following them for years and it's amazing to see how they've refined their sound over time. Their focus on melody and songwriting is what sets them apart from other indie bands. And can we talk about the production quality? It's like they've taken all the best bits of their past work and polished them into something truly special 
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Their sound is just so refined and nuanced, it's like they've perfected the art of indie rock. I'm all about the catchy hooks and meaningful lyrics - and this album delivers on both fronts 
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. It's clear they're not trying to chase mainstream success, but just making music that matters to them. And honestly, it's refreshing to hear an album that feels authentic and well-written, you know? No filler tracks or songs that feel like they're just trying to fit into a mold 
But what really sets this album apart is the attention to detail in every song. It's clear The Cribs care about their craft, and it shows in every note 
The Cribs are like the ultimate indie rock elders who still know how to bring the heat! I mean, 22 years in and they're not afraid to experiment with their sound while staying true to themselves. That production quality is on point 
, it's like a perfectly crafted indie rock puzzle. And can we talk about those lyrics? So raw and honest, it's like they're singing directly to your soul 
I mean, 22 years into their career and they're still cranking out stuff that feels both timeless and fresh. That's what I call longevity 
Patrick Wimberly did an amazing job bringing out the best in them.
'Summer Seizures' and 'Distractions' are standout tracks for me - so raw and emotional.
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. Their music may not be flashy or attention-grabbing, but trust me, it's authentic and meaningful 
What I love most about 'Selling a Vibe' is that it's an album about embracing your artistic freedom and not compromising your vision for anything. It's all about staying true to yourself, even if that means not being the flashiest or most attention-grabbing band out there. That kind of dedication and commitment to craft is something we could all learn from 