Not that it counts for anything, but I like them. Ryan's voice is a bit of an aquired taste and they're a bit too matey with the Kaiser Chiefs for their own good, but the songs feel very genuine, their musical style is not completely derivitive and they appear to develop with each album. They've also worked with Lee Renaldo from Sonic Youth so it appears that they have something that appeals to 80's indie figureheads. 'Mens Needs, womens needs, whatever' was there last album and is more polished than their early work and may be a good jumping in point? Have yet to hear their newest offering though...

I'd always dismissed them as landfill based on what little I'd heard. But Marr's involvement forced me to reconsider and I checked out the new album. First track, despite an appalling title, sounded great. Then it all got a bit shouty and I turned it off. God I feel old.

But I will try again...

the last one, based on a good title(Mens Needs Womens Needs - Whatever) and great reviews and I thought it was shite. Pro tools indie - with no substance, tunes or imagination

Opinions divided then? Another question, is Johny Marr too old to dress like he does, he must be nearly 50? I think he just about carries it off but it is all a bit 'trendy dad'.

would go down better round 'ere

are awful. Devoid of "tunes", "melodies", "a point".

And I'm 23.

To be fair, though, everything Marr has done since the Smiths has been sub par. Even Modest Mouse, who only make sense to trendy New York hipsters in plaid, and even then only when writing their blogs.

are pretty cool and the album he was involved with was great.
I took a chance on Bombay Cycle Club and that was pretty dire - easily the worst album I have bought this year. Strange thing was first listen was okay. I have a theory that this current Indie stuff doesnt bear repeat playing. Had the same with Sons and Daughters - 2 good tracks and a pile of shit.
I was going to seek out The Cribs following a M**O article - dont think I will bother now.

I first saw them supporting Death Cab For Cutie in 2003 and have followed them ever since. Haven't heard the new one yet but I'll be picking up a copy.

This is from their debut:

This is class.

needs a new Morrissey...such a waste of a sublime guitar talent.

He's joining the list of talented guitarist/songwriter partnerships who just can't hack it once they lose their "other half"...Squire, Butler, Richards spring to mind.

And further to my first post, I have a particular fondness for this:

..by the difference between bands that are labelled landfill indie and the more "credible" types. It quite often seems to be more about what company they keep and what they say in interviews than any real difference in the quality of their music.

And as for Johnny Marr, no problem with his dress sense, but he does overdo the hair dye a touch.