Bonus Material, A 20-Page Book, Session Notes, and More – The Cribs Present Reissues of Their First Three Classic and Much-Loved Albums
Still one of the most-loved, acclaimed, and relevant independent bands in the UK, The Cribs’ music and DIY attitude continue to inspire a new generation of artists. Joe Talbot of IDLES reflects, “In order to make the best art, you have to never wait for anyone; DIY. They did it themselves. They are The Cribs and I am truly grateful.” On the band’s second album, The New Fellas, Yard Act’s Ryan Needham comments, “It just hit me that whilst everyone was pratting around in London being all self-congratulatory, The Cribs had just got their heads down and written an incredible follow-up album that referenced everyone pratting around in London being all self-congratulatory.”
Following the release of their eighth album, Night Network, in 2020 and the more recently issued four limited edition 7”s featuring previously unheard songs from the album sessions (recorded at Dave Grohl’s Studio 606), The Cribs now present a comprehensive reissue programme of their first three classic and much-loved albums, The Cribs, The New Fellas and Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever.
After being out of print for many years, the highly sought-after vinyl LPs are now available on limited edition coloured vinyl, along with ‘Definitive Edition’ 2CD editions featuring never-before-heard songs, out-takes, demos, sessions, covers, and remixes. Additionally, all 3 albums are released on cassette for the first time. Take your pick from this collection of reissued material here.
There is also a limited-edition boxset entitled The Early Years available via The Cribs store which includes all three albums on coloured vinyl, a companion CD for each album featuring all bonus material, and a 20-page ‘Sessions History’ book containing detailed session notes from the band, unseen photographs, and interviews with the likes of Edwyn Collins, Alex Kapranos and Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth) who were all involved in the making of the albums. The boxsets are individually signed and numbered and limited to 1,000 units worldwide.
Speaking of the re-issues campaign, the brothers had this to say:
“We just wanna say that we are so proud and grateful to be in the position that, 15 years on, people still care about these albums – we cannot tell you how much this means. Throughout the ups and downs of the intervening years, it has always been our hardcore audience that has sustained us, and we appreciate you more than you will ever know. So, first and foremost, these editions are for you guys…the kinda people who will appreciate hearing ‘Song From Practice 1’ actually live from practice 1…we hope we did you proud”.
In the lead-up to these reissues, the band also shared ‘In The Room’, a previously unheard out-take from the The New Fellas album sessions with Edwyn Collins in 2005. Talking about the song, they said: “We had honestly forgotten that this song existed until we received our original master tapes back…we know that sounds disingenuous but it’s true! Life was so chaotic and fast-moving back then that we never really had the chance to go back and revisit things – everything was very in the moment, which is probably why this one was able to fall through the cracks.”
The band’s 2004 self-titled debut album, back on vinyl for the first time in over twelve years, was recorded almost twenty years ago at the legendary Toe-Rag studios, and produced in part by US underground musician Bobby Conn. The Cribs took the band from DIY heroes to wider public acclaim, thanks to cult hits such as ‘Another Number’ and ‘You Were Always The One’.
The band’s breakthrough 2005 album The New Fellas, back on vinyl for the first time since its original release, was produced by Edwyn Collins and features 4 top 40 singles including ‘Hey Scenesters!’ and ‘Mirror Kissers’.
The band’s classic 2007 album Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever, features hit singles like ‘Men’s Needs’ and ‘I’m a Realist’ and was produced by Alex Kapranos. Lee Ranaldo features on ‘Be Safe’. The album is full of enduring anthems and is still considered by many as one of the defining indie rock albums of the 2000s, both at home and overseas.
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