Music Review: The Detroit Cobras: Mink Rat or Rabbit

Retro-rockers are an indulgent what-if of rock ‘n roll history.

We must ask ourselves the question: what if the Beatles had never been? How differently would the musical landscape of today be if it were not for the Beatles’ musical output from Revolver on?

Prior to the likes of the Beatles and Dylan, rock music had a straight forward, easy to digest formula based entirely on youthful exuberance and enjoyment of the music. Bill Haley & the Comets, the Ventures, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis were all the superstars of their age for crafting simple, melodic rock ‘n roll songs that America’s youth devoured.

And then the sixties happened.

Tastes and attitudes change, and the innocent age of early rock ‘n roll had passed.

And yet today there are still those who make music as though 1964 had never happened.

One example: the Detroit Cobras – underground retro-rock outfit from, where else? Detroit – ask the same question I just posed to you. Who thinks dances like the twist and the mashed potato are done with?

The Cobras’ first studio album, Mink Rat or Rabbit is old news for the band, (they have currently released three full-length albums) and yet in many ways I think it their best work, because the intention of the styles remains unpolluted and unapologetic.

Songs like “Cha Cha Twist” are good enough to make you want to dance, while other songs like “Putty” recall an Animal-esque melodic styling. Underneath the blatant and bold-faced vocals of lead singer Rachel Nagy, the rest of the Cobras keep a tight ensemble, riffing through classic rock styles.
Their style is at moments early Rolling Stones, blending together traditional blues stylings with raucous hip-rattling attitude, but never apologetic for what it is not: cutting edge.

This is a brilliant collection of original tunes which only tell their age because of the level of distortion used on the guitars and bass.

A highly recommended disc:

The Grade: A

T.

P.S. Sorry about the cover image. I couldn't find an edited version.