Review: The Cribs - Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever
July 15, 2007 – 6:17 pm by malik 
There is the semi-correct comparison (Pavement), the lazy comparison (The Strokes), and then there is the well I’m going just say whatever comparison (Sum 41). On their third album and official U.S. debut, Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever, The Cribs continue their brand of obnoxious, quick, taking-the-piss sound. The three Yorkshire brothers create a power pop mix that may be construed as bratty and the works of a drunken bunch. But hey that’s okay because the songs are interesting. Franz Ferdinand lead singer Alex Kapranos produced the album and you can hear the similarities in the guitar work. It’s fast paced repetitions that rams into your eardrums. “Women’s Needs” riff sounds a lot like the Pixies “Gigantic,” and the apocalyptic “Be Safe” has an early Nada Surf feel to it. The outstanding “Men’s Needs” lays out the complexities of the sexes and has the excellent line, “Have you noticed I’ve never been impressed by your friends from New York and London?” Though this is their debut album for the U.S. market, I would recommend their last album New Fellas as a very good introduction to this band. Overall, Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever is a good indie rock album that travels fast to your head. Whether it stays there is up to your tolerance for semi-serious pranksters.
