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, ... more »but by finding the essence of the rough-and-tumble spirit of the original streetwise tunes the Cobras tackle on Mink Rat. Symphony For The Record Industry. 1998.« less
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. Symphony For The Record Industry. 1998.
"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."
A SUPER-STRONG DEBUT
Robert L. Hust | 12/18/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Cobras are amazing. They have taken old material and put a new sheen on it, adding an exciting edge and ultimately making it their own. I change my CDs constantly, but keep coming back to this one and the follow-up, "Life, Love, and Leaving." It's not a huge investment, so do yourself a favor and buy it. See them live too."
Pure Detroit
Robert L. Hust | Dublin, Ohio USA | 07/31/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Detroit Cobras Rock the House
George T. Parsons | Nevada City, CA | 06/20/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Out Of The Garage and In Your Face
doctor_ivan | 05/26/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The Detroit Cobras are an interesting breed:
Punky garage vocals,heavy guitar all in a blender with a true respect of R&B Classic tunes. Rachel Nagy's sneering vocal comes through on these tracks and be assured she's ready to spit in your eye if you wont get up and dance. If you loved some of the ballsier tunes on the Nuggets and Pebbles compilations, you'll certainly go for this. Pick it up and you wont be disappointed."