Mina
title:: A To B
label::Bungalow
format:: CD
'A To B' is the second record by this young Berlin 4 piece live band. Mina play instrumental dance enabled electronic rock with full bodied bass guitar, live drums and upfront organ.
Mina are kind of like a clean German version of the US band '!!!'.
With this LP the band really seem to have come of age in terms of confidence and ability. They also run in high profile circles, signed to Berlin's Bungalow Records, mastered by Stefan Betke (Pole), with a sleeve designed in part by Hell (who runs International DeeJay Gigolo Records).
The disc also breaks out a bit for them. "Desktop" has a guest female vocalist and "No. 6" has a New Order feel to it.
Right before this LP they released a 12" single "tba" (reviewed in the Jan. 23 gullbuy). Even though they named the LP after the B-side of the 12", the track "A To B" is not on the LP. "Tba" is a great cut, though it is not on my list of faves because it was already available.
The final of my three faves from this LP is "Lover's Rest". It is the track that made me think of comparing Mina to '!!!'. It is very sparse and has a catchy sound.
---Carl
