The Cribs: 'Don't You Wanna Be Relevant?'

The Cribs' recent attack on the mediocrity of current indie bands would perhaps have been more powerful if it hadn't seemed so hypocritical. From a band who benefited so heavily from the marketing of the nu-Yorkshire scene, are backed by the trendy music press and make trashy, wiry, DIY rock, they are hardly in a position to proclaim themselves as cutting edge. However, the brothers Jarman will no doubt continue to get away with their gobby onstage antics and rabid live shows if they keep knocking out rollicking good singles like newbie 'Don't You Wanna Be Relevant?'

It's stacked high with riffs that The Strokes clearly forgot to put on the second album and the sort of clattering drums that will inspire mass crowd-pogoing and bobbing during their notoriously blood-soaked live gigs. While the vocals and production still make them sound like a pub rock band, they are probably the best pub rock band in the world. There's a stench of old men's bitter, musty fireplaces and pickled onion crisps all over this track. It's a little bit rough around the edges and it's hardly original, but its roguish charm will more than likely ensnare you.