The press release for Pink Mink's self-titled debut album actually apologizes that it didn't come out sooner: "We know it's overdue, we're sorry," it says. Any concerns over its timeliness, however, pretty well vanish once you hear the record. Which you can finally do starting today. The disc is now in stores and online (including iTunes and Amazon). The quartet will perform a free in-store set at the Electric Fetus today at 7 p.m. to promote it.
While clearly a garage band at heart, Pink Mink didn't skimp on the polish or production value when it came to recording -- which partially explains why the album wasn't rush-released last year after the group won City Pages' Picked to Click poll. This isn't a record to earn the Minksters headlining slots at the Hexagon Bar, it's to get them in heavy rotation at radio stations beyond the Current.
Having one of the town's most reputable studio engineers, Jacques Wait, as your bass player obviously allows for a little extra refinement at little to no cost. The slickness is tastefully applied and doesn't detract from the snarling, smirking charm of co-leaders Christy Hunt and Arzu Gokcen. (of Ouija Radio and Selby Tigers notoriety, respectively; if you didn't already know). "Seekin' Scott Seekins" still rocks as brightly as one of its namesake subject's outfits, but you can hear the catchy hooks on record better than you can on a fuzzy club p.a. system. The album stormy closer "Hidden Beach" is especially well executed and remains the band's crowning song to date. Click here for a great video clip of them playing it live on the Current.
Some of the best tracks, though, are the ones not already well known by local scenesters, including the slower-swaying "Ghost Bike" and the teeth-baring "Ginger Wolf." The quality of those tracks make the album's inclusion of "Kids Don't Follow" (born out First Ave's Replacements tribute) seem a bit gratuitous. But since this is a record that aims to be heard beyond Minneapolis, you can't fault the veteran rockers for letting people know where they're from.
Much of Minneapolis and St. Paul -- in fact, the neighborhoods right on the border between them -- might hear echoes of the new album Friday, when the band is hosting its release party on one of the Padelford cruise boats. The floating gig will leave Harriet Island in downtown St. Paul at 8 p.m. Click here for details.
