Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 14
  2. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Under The Radar
    50
    The Cribs are doing an admirable job of copying garage bands, but that is all it is, a facsimile. [Summer 2007, p.79]
  2. Spin
    60
    Men's Needs isn't nearly as unique as Jarman thinks, but his tunecraft is often as sharp as his wit. [Aug 2007, p.100]
  3. This record improves on the band's earlier work and might even score them a stateside breakthrough.
  4. Blender
    60
    Singer-guitarist Ryan and Gary Jarman comport themselves ably through these dozen distortion-cranked, rhapsodically sung bits of power pop. [2007 Aug, p.110]
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 36 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 36
  2. Negative: 1 out of 36
  1. Nov 30, 2010
    7
    There are many good tracks here, the first four in particular, but I much preferred 'The New Fellas'. That album was packed with fantasticThere are many good tracks here, the first four in particular, but I much preferred 'The New Fellas'. That album was packed with fantastic song-writing (mostly scorning the lame, generic indie scene in the uk) and riotous energy. They've maintained the biting attitude on Men's Needs... but this album isn't anywhere near as fun. Solid listen nonetheless and, yes, still miles better than dross like The Pigeon Detectives. Full Review »
  2. JoshuaD.
    Feb 16, 2008
    9
    Bursting into Our Bovine Public, once again, The Cribs mean business. Lyrics to make the indie-posing bands quake in their boots and dazzling Bursting into Our Bovine Public, once again, The Cribs mean business. Lyrics to make the indie-posing bands quake in their boots and dazzling guitars to make them wish they could make up a riff as catchy but still so simple. On this album they attack indie bands, indie fans, misogynists, their home town and even the fakes, liars and stars of films (Moving Pictures). A dazzling third record from the real fighters for real indie music, by a real indie band. 9/10 Full Review »
  3. AmurabiM.
    Jan 24, 2008
    7
    With some help from Alex Kapranos, The Cribs with this album has become in the next band-to-watch. They are playing without this sense of With some help from Alex Kapranos, The Cribs with this album has become in the next band-to-watch. They are playing without this sense of urgency that permeates in the British indie rock bands nowadays. They are playing to themselves, and in the meantime, they are mocking the scene, their sound, their fans and themselves. This is not a deliberate movement. They are trying to get themselves away from the wave of conformism and mediocrity of the real indie scene. With this album they are playing like never before. They are not trying to get success; it feels that this is more punk attitude than a commercial strategy. With Lee Ranaldo in the stunning "Be Safe" that remembers that monologue from Trainspotting, and some catchy tunes like "Men´s Needs" and its counterpart "Women´s Needs", the album feels glorious. But there are a problem. It notices than the primal influences like The Strokes or The Libertines still keeps permeating the sound of the band. And Kapranos or someone else can´t help, than the band still fights with their intern demons, that it reflects into this derivative sound. This could be a great album if they are trying to forget those bands and focus more often into themselves. Full Review »