Yorkshire's band of punk brothers The Cribs [ tickets ] unveiled their new collection of songs and their newest member--Johnny Marr, formerly of The Smiths--on Monday (11/9) at the first of two US stops. Long on energy yet short on the melodic nuance that spices the new disc, "Ignore the Ignorant," The Cribs work a limited playing field that reinforces the power of working class British rock.

The cues have their roots in The Beatles, Ramones and Buzzcocks, and rather than ask Marr to enhance The Cribs' sound with elements from The Smiths or Modest Mouse, the other band he pinch hit for, he's there to tap into history. The Cribs--three bothers from Wakefield--were great at pounding the audience over the head with fat chords, Phil Spector beats and group chants. That's still their bread and butter, but over time it's likely they'll find benefits in assimilating the textures and tempos of "Ignore the Ignorant" into their live show.

"Last Year's Snow" is the new album's the tender centerpiece, "Cheat on Me" is the mid-tempo single and "We Share the Same Skies" is the closest The Cribs come to The Smiths' territory. Monday at the Roxy, played back-to-back-to-back, "Snow's" tempo was accelerated, "Cheat" was indifferent and "Same Skies" was the night's most full-bodied, exhilarating rocker.

Marr's role--and it might well evolve when they return to the US for a full tour early next year--is to bulk up the heavy parts and slide in multiple textures when the music is less in-your-face. His purpose is twofold: help the band evolve by enhancing the brawn and adding brains. It's most evident on the pungent "Hari Kari," a standout track on the new album and at the 80-minute show. A rare Cribs tune in which each instrumentalist is required to go in a distinct direction, then regroup for a moment of catharsis, the tune is a musical and lyrical bed of nails.

Following the powerful opener "We Were Aborted," The Cribs stuck with the fast and furious, going a full 10 songs before easing the pace on the ballad "What About Me" from their 2004 debut album. The quartet set-up has made guitarist Ryan Jarman the frontman, with bassist Gary Jarman positioned to his left. They still alternate on vocals--Ryan's dour and deep-hued voice providing the grounding, Gary's higher pitch and inclination to yelp proving a Kurt Cobain alternative to Ryan's Noel Gallagher. They have always had an indie swagger and, with a legend beside them and the power drumming of Ross Jarman behind them, The Cribs are displaying a musical maturation on record that is just a few steps away in the live show.