The Detroit Cobras - The Original Recordings: Singles & Unreleased 1995-97

Pleasure-giving garage rockers cover up

The Detroit Cobras have a novel approach when it comes to creating music. Rather then writing their own original compositions they choose to cherry-pick their favourite songs and rearrange them, creating an alluring mix of garage rock with bucket-loads of soul.

This compilation, ironically named The Original Recordings, collects their first three rare singles along with nine previously unreleased recordings, packaged together with extensive sleevenotes and an essay. Despite a revolving door policy over the years (16 previous band members and counting), one consistent element that binds the songs together is Rachel Nagy’s voice, an instrument that veers from croaky temptress on Come On Over To My House, to smooth vixen on the downright dirty Cha Cha Twist.

Elsewhere the band doesn’t venture too far outside the garage rock template. Guitars squeal and weave around low-slung baselines, while the whole thing sounds like it was recorded in someone’s shed. Highlights come thick and fast, most notably on a chugging rip through The Kinks’ Brainwashed and the retro-soul of Village Of Love. They may not be original, but for sheer unadulterated pleasure, you could do much worse then The Detroit Cobras.

Munster | MR CD 280

Reviewed by Michael Cragg
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