Thank God for The Cribs. Just when you thought 2020 couldn’t provide any joy whatsoever the boys from Wakefield have snuck in at the end of the year with a stellar comeback album.
It might be unfair to dub ‘Night Network’ a comeback record but since the bands’ last full-length LP (2017’s ‘24/7 Rock Star Shit’) The Cribs have faced several serious obstacles that threatened the future of the band.
A legal dispute over who owned the rights to the bands back catalogue transformed the Jarman brothers overnight from do it yourself musicians into do it yourself lawyers.
A long-winded legal battle was then finally sorted just in time for the coronavirus pandemic to hit, disrupting any plans for touring or an album release.
Therefore, the fact that we even have a new Cribs album to enjoy this year should be taken as a small victory.
As ever with the nicer things in life we have Dave Grohl to thank for The Cribs remarkable comeback!
Upon hearing that the band were struggling the Foo Fighters frontman offered up his famous Studio 606 for The Cribs to make a new record.
This proved to be the lease of life the band needed to re-discover their mojo and get them back to what they should always be doing, writing songs.
After three years the album itself is definitely worth the wait and proof of the Crib’s unrelenting perseverance.
The record is full of charm and undeniable Cribsisms that will have long-time fans churning with excitement and love.
A departure from previous album ’24/7 Rock Star Shit’ in every sense, ‘Night Network’ sees The Cribs lean into a smooth production with glossy melodies and beautiful guitar tones.
Opener ‘Goodbye’ is Beach Boys-esque in the best possible way, slowly building to a crescendo of ‘oohs’ and ahhs’ in the most peaceful and welcoming way.
The tune lays the foundations for the musicality of the album, while lyrically waving goodbye to the shit storm the band have endured since we last heard from them.
“Goodbye to the nights we celebrated, goodbye to the flame kept while we waited.”
The album then bursts into life with lead single ‘Running Into You’ kicking things off in spectacular style.
The band’s best lead single since ‘Men’s Needs’ the tune has everything you could want from a Cribs track, including an infectious melody, distinct distorted guitars and an anthemic chorus.
This early in the album it already feels like The Cribs have never been away, and it’s lovely.
A highpoint for the album follows with ‘Screaming in Suburbia’.
While The Cribs may well sound like the loveable 20-somethings we know and love, the band themselves have done a fair bit of growing up over the last few years (twins Ryan and Gary are now 40).
This has unsurprisingly affected some of the bands’ interests and notably lyrics.
“Still hearing voices now, the baby just won’t shut up.”
The tune itself manages to be a mature take on growing older while also conjuring that feeling that makes you want to belt the chorus out as loud as you can.
The fully-fledged songwriting continues on ‘Never Thought I’d Feel Again’ and ‘Deep Infatuation’ with the chorus of the later residing firmly in my head ever since my first listen, it’s incredibly enjoyable stuff.
The halfway point of the album marks The Cribs second collaboration with Sonic Youth’s Lee Ranaldo.
While not as impressive as 2007’s epic ‘Be Safe’ the track is a welcome return for Ranaldo who contributes guitars and backing vocals on the track about a bitter past relationship.
“Keep out of my way, I’m not in your way.”
The album is a bit less consistent in its second half with ‘She’s My Style’ a largely forgettable mid-album offering.
On the contrary ‘Under The Bus Station Clock’ is one of the best tracks ‘Night Network’ has to offer.
The track is unashamedly romantic and unabashedly The Cribs.
A swirling chorus puts you in the right in the middle of a romance that feels like life and death.
Given that for most of us epic romances have been few and far between this year, it’s a surprisingly powerful song.
From 9th track ‘The Weather Speaks Your Name’ the album fails to land any significantly impactful tracks until closer ‘In the Neon Night’.
The track’s bouncy guitar line and light piano accompaniment give it a classic feel perfect for signing off on another classic Cribs album.
‘Night Network’ marks a new era for The Cribs. The scrappy teenagers of ”Baby Don’t Sweat’ may be gone, but they are still very much recognisable as the sharp gents crooning on ‘Running Into You’.
Overall the album offers up plenty of delightful new tunes for Cribs fans to enjoy, and if you weren’t too keen on the shoutier efforts of the band’s last album, the new smoother style may well win you over.
