Yorkshire three-piece The Cribs may not feature Johnny Marr in their line-up anymore, but they still sound positively sparkling at times, on what is their sixth album of smart guitar-pop. Opening with ‘Finally Free’, it’s business as usual for the band, who could be likened to a UK equivalent of Weezer, with shades of Ash. They’ve certainly been as prolific as Rivers Cuomo and co. and their sound in 2015 is equally polished and assured, showing that their previous work with US underground gurus Steve Albini and Dave Fridmann has rubbed off.
On For All My Sisters, they’ve enlisted the knob-twiddling services of former Cars frontman Ric Ocasek, who has also worked on records by Guided By Voices, Nada Surf and Weezer. The album is also their first not to be released on their long-term record label, Wichita Recordings, as they’ve founded their own imprint with assistance and support from Sony Red UK.
Is polished and assured the summit of their ambitions? There is plenty to enjoy here and ‘Burning For No One’ is a real stand-out. Elsewhere though, For All My Sisters feels less inspired...

Key Track - 'Burning For No One'