Last time we saw Minks perform we got serious Velvet Underground vibes. Not that we were out and about in NYC seeing Velvet Underground get all standoffish on stage back in the day, and not that Minks were actually being dicks on stage or anything (they seemed pretty nice), but sometimes there's just a feeling you get. Like, the right show just has to happen and then this band will be spitting and sneering at all of us and we'll all somehow be stoked about it. Listening to "Kusmi," though, you'd never get that vibe. It's sweet, but not without an edge, as if the goth kid from school grew up and started to wonder what was up with being existentially bummed all the time and was like, Life gets better, but I still feel your pain other goth kids. I get you. By the Hedge is out right now on Captured Tracks.
Download: Minks, "Kusmi"