As We Drift Apart lends heavily from the mid 90’s punk rock heroes who defined the Fat Wreck generation with melody-drenched, riff-heavy, rowdy rock. Bad Religion harmonies preside over Lagwagon hooks, and jubilant Me First and the Gimme Gimmes refrains but with a slightly Frenzal-esque fury. Mixed and mastered by Mark Michalik (The Wonder Years, The Swellers) at Chicago’s Drasik Studios, the full length is a welcome and notable progression from Cribb’s 2012 acoustic EP. facebook.com/dancribbmusic
Pressing:
500 x CDs
150 x Transparent Blue Vinyl
150 x Opaque White Vinyl
REVIEWS:
CoolTry.com.au
DAN CRIBB & THE ISOLATED – As We Drift Apart
Fresh nostalgia. That is what comes to mind when listening to ‘As We Drift Apart’ the debut album from Dan Cribb & The Isolated. As oxymoronic as that may sound it is the best way to describe this album. Opening with lead single ‘The Last Time’ the album takes you back to the 90’s with the jangly bass and one string riffs over a 3 chord progression. While the song stays true to the 90’s pop punk roots the vocal melody featuring some sneaky minor chords brings a fresh feel to the track. There is a genuine feeling through out this album, not just lyrically “I know I can see it’s not easy, it’s killing you” (from closing track ‘Fall Apart’) but through the simplicity of the chord progressions, the emotion in the vocals and passion that pours out through the speakers. One thing that stood out on this album for me was the perfect placement of the harmonies and their ability to add so much more to what are already catchy and brilliant songs. It’s like they’ve dipped into albums like Green Day’s ‘Dookie’ and Good Charlotte’s self titled album and put a personal touch on those bands incredible ability to harmonise. One of the best examples of the band’s ability to perfectly use harmonies to their advantage is in ‘Changes’, an emotionally charged “slower” song on the album. Usually I’m not hard pressed to find filler on an album these days but these 11 tracks all hold their own and have every chance of being the bands next single which in turn makes for a stellar album of pure pop punk awesomeness! Rating: 5/5
PunkRockTheory.com [Belgium]
DAN CRIBB & THE ISOLATED – As We Drift Apart
Having heard nothing from Dan Cribb’s new project before, I didn’t know what to expect from the former The Decline frontman and his Isolated buddies. Turns out that on their debut full-length these Aussies play the kind of punkrock tunes that brightened up my days back throughout the 90’s. There’s nothing earthshattering about the songs that make up “As We Drift Apart”. I mean, we’ve all heard Lagwagon and the likes before. But the guitars are nice and crunchy, the drums sound great and Cribb has a knack for writing memorable hooks. They even threw in a couple of tasty guitar solos to round things out. Not too shabby at all!
Score: 7 out of 10
X-Press Mag
DAN CRIBB & THE ISOLATED – As We Drift Apart
Earlier in the year, Perth muso Dan Cribb announced his departure from punk act, The Decline. Focusing on more singer/songwriter type material, he has assembled a backing band and released As We Drift Apart. Comparing this release to his last uncovers a massive graduation in sound. Whereas his debut EP The Memories Last relied on acoustic-driven tracks and more intimate instrumentation, As We Drift Apart sees Cribb take full advantage of his backing band, turning these songs into full-on ’90s punk rock tunes. The personal touch is lost in the translation, but the melodies are still there and perhaps even brought to fruition. The album is reminiscent of punk bands who are focused on melody, such as Lagwagon, Alkaline Trio and Blink-182. Cribb’s vocals are definitely the highlight – they have a tone that conveys energy and emotion, especially on songs such as Fall Apart. When he sings, ‘I know I can see it’s not easy / It’s killing you / It’s killing me‘, the conviction is clear. Kisschasy frontman Darren Cordeux lends his voice to Let’s Move To New York, one of the album’s shining moments. Cribb has taken the sound on his debut EP to the next level, making everything bigger in the process.
3 stars – Review by: Spencer Scott
STACK Magazine
DAN CRIBB & THE ISOLATED – As We Drift Apart
As We Drift Apart is the first album from new Perth-based trio Dan Cribb and the Isolated. For this debut, the former Decline frontman has secured convincing guest appearances from Kisschasy frontman Darren Courdeux, and singer of Detriot punk band The Swellers. Reminiscent of the late ’90s approach to honest and simple songwriting that propelled the likes of Tony Sly and Joey Cape into the hearts of pre-emo pubsecents, As We Drift Apart is a good, old fashioned, convincing punk rock romp. Rating: 4/5
BLUNT Issue #137
DAN CRIBB & THE ISOLATED – As We Drift Apart
Former frontman of Perth punks The Decline, Dan Cribb has backed himself with The Isolated – as well as Darren Courdeux of Kisschasy and The Swellers’ Nick Diener – and stepped out with his debut full length. The album is an altogether larger beast than Cribb’s 2012 acoustic EP – distorted guitars, a full heaving rhythm section, and a host of harmonies straight out of Frenzal Rhomb’s book. It’s shameless about it’s influence, but emulates it well: “Just Like You” the 3/4 high school dance anthem; “Drive All Night” the kind of windows-down introspection/relationship dissection you’d expect from Alkaline Trio. Those among you with an interest in conspiracy theories may note the fortuitous timing of this album and the announcement of the new Tony Hawk game: kickflips, 90s-leaning punk rock, illuminati.
Rating: 3/5 – Review by: Dave Drayton
themusic.com.au
DAN CRIBB & THE ISOLATED – As We Drift Apart
The geographic isolation of our western brethren that works its musical magic time and again churned out a solid band in The Decline, which Perth pop-punk Dan Cribb formerly fronted, but he’s given us something even better and more rewarding in his solo project. It picks up from 2013’s The Memories Last EP, with even more hook-filled melodic gems, most divinely in Let’s Move To New York, The Only One and Changes. It’s Cribb’s laconic delivery and jubilance across the board that lift these short, sharp ditties high above the ordinary.
Rating: 4/5 – Review by: Carley Hall
WeLiveInHell.com [Brazil]
DAN CRIBB & THE ISOLATED – As We Drift Apart
Nothing sadder for a fan of a particular band than losing their lead singer. This happened with the excellent band The Decline when Dan Cribb decided to leave the band a few months ago. In fact, he was already flirting with side projects when released the solo album The Last Memories in 2013. His departure was like a bucket of cold water on the fans of the promising and growing band The Decline. Dan Cribb & The Isolated is the rebirth of Dan Cribb. For those who thought he would follow the same skatepunk sound of The Decline, he shows another side, more mature, with a melodic punk band envy the lot of California. As We Drift Apart is an extremely cohesive and competent album, which reminds us immediately of nostalgic 90s Songs like “The Last Time” and “Just Like You” are evidence that the 90 will never leave our hearts. All very well executed with a twist: the only voice of Dan Cribb. For me Dan Cribb has all the credentials to be placed among the best singers of melodic punk world. Ultimately, that cold eagle bucket turned a great gift for fans of good melodic music, with the birth of this new band called Dan Cribb & The Isolated. Undoubtedly one of the best releases of the year, and that can put these guys on a path of great achievements among all fans of the genre. Long live the new Australian power-trio! Recommended for fans of: No Use For A Name, The Getaway, Bad Religion
Rating: 9/10 – By: Eduardo Landlord
