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  • Release Date:
Mink Car Image
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 21 Ratings

  • Summary: The band's first major release since 1996's 'Factory Showroom' features 17 new recordings (including some songs that originally appeared on 1999's self-released 'Long Tall Weekend.').
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 9
  2. Negative: 2 out of 9
  1. Mink Car will please just about all but the most picky of They Might Be Giants fans. Diverse, off-beat, strange, fun, and decidedly wonderful, it proves that TMBG haven't really lost anything over the years...
  2. It's all funny, but also wise in a way.
  3. The majority of the new songs are keepers.
  4. Mink Car is all over the map, an ideal piece of entertainment for listeners simultaneously blessed and cursed with high IQs and attention deficit disorder.
  5. Alternative Press
    60
    They haven't lost any of their quirky cool mojo. [Nov 2001, p.97]
  6. Blender
    40
    Almost a total wreck -- even decent melodies are hard to come by. [Aug/Sep 2001, p.130]
  7. Yes, Mink Car is crap. All the charms They Might Be Giants once seemed to possess have dissipated into a cloud of embarrassing awkwardness.

See all 9 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 12
  2. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. bilphil
    Jan 12, 2005
    10
    It's great
  2. BenR.
    May 30, 2002
    10
    My favorite TMBG song is still Istanbul, but this CD probably has the higest proportion of good songs to crappy songs of any CD ever.
  3. Sep 10, 2012
    9
    I liked Mink Car when it was released and it has only grown on me over the years. There is possibly too wide a range of sound and style beingI liked Mink Car when it was released and it has only grown on me over the years. There is possibly too wide a range of sound and style being covered across the length of the album, but the songs are nearly all "best of" worthy. I have two songs I skip over on the entire record. It ranks with John Henry but I doubt they will ever release albums with the high level of excellence of Lincoln or Flood, but I try not to compare Dylan's later albums to Blood on the Tracks or John Wesley Harding either. It doesn't mean they aren't good too, but there is no way to recapture that moment in time when a group was in their peak. Mink Car falls a bit short, but not by all that much. Expand
  4. Josh
    Mar 21, 2002
    8
    I love They Might Be Giants, and this album is pretty good. Admittedly, it isn't as good as LINCOLN or JOHN HENRY, but it's still I love They Might Be Giants, and this album is pretty good. Admittedly, it isn't as good as LINCOLN or JOHN HENRY, but it's still very good. The only thing that brings it down is the fact that some of the lyrics make absolutely no sense (e.g. "Wicked Little Critta" and "Mink Car"). Also, the entire cd sounds as if it was meant to be a dance cd. The only song that is truly reminiscent of TMBG is "Finished With Lies", which sounds like it would have fit better on APOLLO 18. Nevertheless, I still maintain that TMBG is the best band in the entire world. Expand
  5. Jan 22, 2019
    7
    This isn't one of their best albums, in my opinion, but it still gets a 7 from me, because they are awesome. Best song = Man It's so loud in here.
  6. Feb 18, 2013
    7
    I really enjoy this album. Alot of TMBG fans dont, as there isnt alot of expirementing, and the 2 Johns really played it safe and didntI really enjoy this album. Alot of TMBG fans dont, as there isnt alot of expirementing, and the 2 Johns really played it safe and didnt neccessarily take any innovations. However, I find these, simple, and straightfoward songs to be some of TMBG best. Not the album as a whole, but the songs within the album are simple, catchy, and overall good songs, which to me is what matters. I dont know, but hearing some of TMBG's really expiremental stuff is very hit and miss, and an album like this doesnt neccessarily blow me away, but it doesnt make me feel like im out of the loop and not getting the music. I get this album, and thats why i enjoy it. Good songs make a good album, not a stand out album, but a good album none the less. Expand
  7. jethro
    Jul 23, 2003
    4
    I really tried to give this album a chance. It seems that I'm disappointed with every new TMBG on the first listen, but it gets better I really tried to give this album a chance. It seems that I'm disappointed with every new TMBG on the first listen, but it gets better with each subsequent spin. Mink Car got the disappointment part down right, it's the recovery that's lacking. This isn't an album, this is a B-sides collection. Some songs are lacking while others are too overproduced. (Those familiar with the "rough cut" of I've Got a Fang will know what I am talking about.) At least there are some keepers. "Man, It's So Loud in Here" should be annoying, but it instead becomes the best alternative dance tune since Frank Black's cover of the Beach Boys' "Hang on to Your Ego". Working Undercover is Another highlight, but it's immediately disqualified due to its previous appearance on the E-music EP of the same name. All in all, the album is just boring, lacking, frustrating, or a combination of all three. For those claiming it's TMBGs best, listen to Licoln or Flood, then put this one back in, and you'll see just what's wrong with it. Collapse

See all 12 User Reviews