Mink Rat Or Rabbit

Detroit Cobras | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 24, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sympathy 4 the R.I.
• ASIN: B000003L0U
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,973 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

The Detroit Cobras manage a pretty rare feat with their debut LP by transcending classic R&B material by sticking not to the original sound or slavishly recreating arrangements and stylistic trappings of the genre, but by finding the essence of the rough-and-tumble spirit of the original streetwise tunes the Cobras tackle on Mink Rat. That they've chosen as their material obscure R&B nuggets from such legendary labels as Fortune Records and tunes from the glory days of regional hits and AM radio (with the left-field cover of the Oblivians' "Bad Man" here titled "Bad Girl") only aids and abets their efforts to make this material uniquely their own. Led by rhythm guitarist Steve Shaw, the Cobras are so tight, instrumentally, that they're loose. The sound, in modern terms, is dirty garage rock, but emboldened by a sense of rhythm that eludes most trash rock and punk-leaning outfits. But, really, what the Detroit Cobras peddle is rock & roll, just as raw and funky as it was originally intended. Shaw may lead the instrumental charge, but it's vocalist Rachel Nagy that steals the show. With a limber, husky voice that recalls Peggy Lee gone to seed and chain-smoking while standing on a Detroit street corner, Nagy is soulful without resorting to histrionics. Instead, she infuses her treatment of the material with an alluring bad-girl bravado and a feral sultriness. Always one step away from falling apart, the Detroit Cobras manage to hang together long enough to keep the house party vibe rolling from track to track. A fitting tribute to the spirit of rock& roll and a reason to go dig through the crates to hear the originals. ~ Chris Handyside, All Music Guide

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars REAL garage rock, June 17, 2003

By 

Mary Heath "rmheath" (Boulder, co USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mink Rat Or Rabbit (Audio CD)

So many bands these days try to pass off as garage rock (the datsuns, the mooney suzuki) but this stuff is REAL. All of it is covers from the 50s just like the garage rockers of the 60s (the Sonics, The kingsman, The Troggs). The singer has a fantastic voice and the guitars go together wonderfully. great album pick it up.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Detroit Cobras Rock the House, June 20, 2002

By 

George T. Parsons (Nevada City, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mink Rat Or Rabbit (Audio CD)

This Detroit quintet make a sound so archaic and authentic it could almost be real slices of lost soul/garage classics. Instead it's a modern band with a fantastic singer in Rachel Nagy and wonderful taste when it comes to cover material. Though they don't write their own stuff, they artfully choose lesser known Motown and Stax stuff, along with other soulful nuggets. This is an IDEAL party album, or just a fine dose of what makes music so fun to listen to.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Detroit, July 30, 2002

By 

Robert L. Hust (Dublin, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mink Rat Or Rabbit (Audio CD)

This band is everything the Strokes and the White Stripes try to be. Those bands may come close, but this is the real thing. Barely known R&B classics done through a gritty garage filter. If you like the Dirtbombs you've got to hear this one.