THE STOLEN
MINKS, “High Kicks”
(New Romance for Kids)
✰✰✰1⁄2 — Canadian
garage rockers the Stolen Minks would glow on a
bill featuring the Detroit Cobras, the Kills, Bikini
Kill (resurrection, please) and Vivian Girls.
They’d be in charge, and you might find yourself
storming their merch table to take their music home.
The female quartet rocks out in a dirty, dusty
sense on “High Kicks,” a 22-minute killer that
makes the case for lo-fi, catchy punk being
something that never should fade away. All the
girls get into the act on tongue-in-cheek opener
“Bring It” and layer in the ’60s-branded guitar
licks on “Reflexes.” Raw “Get Wet” is and
isn’t as racy as you’d think; they demand you
“shut up about …” “Your Broken Heart” over
organ buzz; and promise juvenile but hilarious
repercussions on “I Hate You.” Not even
spit-shined, “High Kicks” has basement-stored
appeal, unpolished charm that sounds just right
coming out of your old, worn-down speakers,
as you sing righteously along. (BK)
The Stolen Minks play Modern Formations
Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Also on the bill are
Virgin Birth and Soft Sickle. Tickets are $6.
