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#1001: The Cribs – Our Bovine Public

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Here’s the last song by the Cribs that’ll be in this series. I made up my mind earlier this year to stop adding songs onto my phone. Otherwise this thing would go on much longer than it probably should. But it’s been some good times with the Cribs. Discussed ‘I’m a Realist’ and ‘Moving Pictures’ once upon a time. ‘Girls Like Mystery’ would have had one if I’d dug the song around the time I was writing for the Gs. All of these songs can all be found on the same album, same thing for ‘Our Bovine Public’ which opens it, so that probably goes to show how into the Cribs I am as a person.

It’s a fine way to get things started though. Produced by Franz Ferdinand’s frontman Alex Kapranos, ‘Our Bovine Public’ exhibits the major emphasis on the low end that runs throughout throughout the album. The tom-toms, kick drum and bass guitar have a massive presence. Alongside this rhythm section, guitarist Ryan Jarman provides the lyrics, playing whatever melody he sings on the guitar at the same time, and pretty much doesn’t stop singing for a moment until it’s time for the bridge to begin. Very thrilling how the verse tumbles straight into the chorus and vice-versa. The lyrics express an annoyance with the music press and the band’s refusal to be lumped into a scene by those papers and publications that they felt they weren’t trying to be a part of. Basically sticking two fingers up to them and telling journalists they wouldn’t have jobs if it wasn’t for the bands they write about.

‘Our Bovine Public’ was released as the third single from Men’s Needs… in late 2007 alongside new song, ‘Don’t You Wanna Be Relevant?’, which has always been rumoured to be about fellow Leeds-based band The Pigeon Detectives. ‘Relevant?’ was the track out of the two that got the most time on MTV2, and I’m sure I may have only seen ‘Bovine”s video maybe once or twice during that time that the double A-side single was being promoted. Definitely got a bit shafted. As I never wrote about ‘Relevant?’ and never considered it to be one of the Cribs’ best tracks anyway, you can probably tell which of the two is my most preferred choice.

#871: The Cribs – Moving Pictures

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‘Moving Pictures’ was released as the second single from the Cribs’ Men’s Need’s… album, back in 2007. I guess I was a fully formed human being by that point, so I have an almost clear recollection of the hype around the band at the time. It was the first album of theirs on a major-label, and its first single became a UK indie dancefloor classic almost immediately.

When the video for ‘Pictures’ started making its rounds on MTV, I’m very sure I preferred the track over its predecessor from the get-go. Being 12-years-old, or whatever my age was back then, I think felt that the track just sounded a lot nicer. Bassist Gary Jarman takes the lead vocal on the majority of the song, with twin brother Ryan on the guitar laying down this really cool guitar pattern that alternates between the higher-pitched strings and the lower ones. Always appreciated that guitar during the verses. Ross Jarman lays down the beat on the drums which are very predominant in the mix, but I don’t say that in a way to complain.

Though I’ve known this song for about 14 years, I’ve no clue what it’s about. That goes for a lot of many other songs that I came to knew when in my first few years of secondary school. Thinking about them now, it may just be another song about a relationship or something… one where both people involved may not even share the same interests but still appreciate the time they share together? Just a guess. If I haven’t thought about it that deeply up to now, there’s small chance that I will from this point on. But no matter how I feel about its subject matter shouldn’t deter you from listening to it for yourself.

#591: The Cribs – I’m a Realist

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I think the first song I’d ever heard by The Cribs was ‘You’re Gonna Lose Us‘. The video showed up on MTV2 a few times some time in 2005/06 (I don’t know just a guess) and I reckoned it was an all right one. First thing I noticed about the band was that their two singers (bassist Gary Jarman and guitarist Ryan Jarman) looked very much alike. For obvious reasons too. They are identical twins. Further research showed that the drummer (Ross Jarman) was their younger brother. So that was cool…. A literal band of brothers. So the video had a bit of circulation and then it died down. Didn’t hear from The Cribs on TV for quite some time.

That was until 2007. That was the band’s big year. They came back with ‘Men’s Needs‘ which was repeated endlessly and to a point where I couldn’t really stand it anymore. Unfortunately, that feeling still lasts to this very day. A lot of people love it though so who am I to say anything.

So to the actual song that today’s post is based on. ‘I’m a Realist’ is the fifth song on The Cribs’ third album Men’s Need’s, Women’s Needs, Whatever, produced by Franz Ferdinand frontman Alex Kapranos and released in 2007. The track was released as the album’s last single in early 2008. To be honest, I’ve never thought too deep into what this song is about. Listening loosely I will say it is a self-deprecating take on dating and relationships. Gary and Ryan’s vocals are on point, with each brother alternate lines before singing in unison for the chorus. Strong harmonies abound throughout. It’s pretty much their trademark. They pull it off very well. The guitar riffs are really catchy too. Helps that they almost match the vocal melodies for the majority of the track.

How NME/UK indie 2007 is that music video as well? Could never be pulled off today. Those were good times.