Mink Car
by They Might Be Giants
  • Record Label: Restless
  • Release Date: Sep 11, 2001
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 21
  3. Negative: 2 out of 21

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  1. GerwinK
    Jul 8, 2005
    4
    I dont belive this is acually from TMBG. How they once made quirky, entertaining songs, Mink Car only showcases a crappy attempt to sanity. If thats how you could even call it.
  2. 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 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 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
  3. 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.
  4. 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 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 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.… Expand
  5. bilphil
    Jan 12, 2005
    10
    It's great
  6. ChuckW
    Mar 13, 2005
    9
    Mink Car is TMBG's opus, I think. Their initial music was a bit too campy for me, and they meandered for a bit. But then with Mink Car, it all comes together, the whole TMBG sound, but with refined sophistication. The record is a variety show of sounds, nearly every song sounds completely different. Yet, there's no song worth skipping. Everyone that I've urged to borrow Mink Car is TMBG's opus, I think. Their initial music was a bit too campy for me, and they meandered for a bit. But then with Mink Car, it all comes together, the whole TMBG sound, but with refined sophistication. The record is a variety show of sounds, nearly every song sounds completely different. Yet, there's no song worth skipping. Everyone that I've urged to borrow Mink Car from me, whether a TMBG fan or not, has agreed that this is a great record.… Expand
  7. CoryC.
    Sep 25, 2001
    9
    Whomever has issues with the musicality of this album has long since lost their ability to not only appreciate the simple pleasures in life, but recognize expert blends of lyric writing and musical range. MINK CAR delivers pop power without the pretense, imagination to spare, and an ability to please old and new fans alike. How many bands can pull off (let alone even bothering to try) Whomever has issues with the musicality of this album has long since lost their ability to not only appreciate the simple pleasures in life, but recognize expert blends of lyric writing and musical range. MINK CAR delivers pop power without the pretense, imagination to spare, and an ability to please old and new fans alike. How many bands can pull off (let alone even bothering to try) having so many styles of music on a single album, and make it work? Few to be sure, and the Johns of TMBG are among those few. There are two kinds of people in the world: those who like They Might Be Giants, and those who will never, ever get them. Pity those poor fools of the latter, buy this album, and be happy.… Expand
  8. bonnin40
    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 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 dontI 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
  9. Droppo
    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 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 ofI 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
  10. an_smj
    Mar 16, 2013
    5
    It's good, but there are many flaws in the album. The start of the album has some incredible songs, 'Bangs' and 'Another First Kiss' being my favourites, but there's just this sense of the whole album being underwhelming. Only really for hardcore fans I'd suggest.
  11. MacsMusic
    Jun 19, 2018
    8
    Mink Car is the best album I've heard from TMBG so far in terms of music. The production is varied, energetic, and plenty of good fun. It feels genuine, original, and organic for the most part, and that makes it sound even better and more than enjoyable. "Bangs" is the only song I really dislike, thanks to it's harmfully stupid lyrics. The lyrics on Mink Car keep it fresh, original, andMink Car is the best album I've heard from TMBG so far in terms of music. The production is varied, energetic, and plenty of good fun. It feels genuine, original, and organic for the most part, and that makes it sound even better and more than enjoyable. "Bangs" is the only song I really dislike, thanks to it's harmfully stupid lyrics. The lyrics on Mink Car keep it fresh, original, and very entertaining on nearly every song. Mink Car features organic, original, highly-enjoyable music and fun, ridiculous lyrics.… Collapse
  12. Taggerbolt
    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.

Awards & Rankings

60
#60 Most Discussed Album of 2001

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 9
  3. Negative: 2 out of 9
  1. PopMatters
    80
    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...
    Read full review
  2. Rolling Stone
    60
    They Might Be Giants are just a stitch more serious about being silly, and that extra earnestness makes all the difference.
    Read full review
  3. Blender
    40
    Almost a total wreck -- even decent melodies are hard to come by. [Aug/Sep 2001, p.130]
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