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The Streets, A Grand Don’t Come for Free

June 22, 2004
Nicola Brady

I was all set to review the new Streets album in a hilarious mock-gangsta street style – ‘yo yo, oi oi oi, don’t touch me’ and the like – and stuck it in my bad ass sound system. But whoa there – A Grand Don’t Come For Free ain’t no wack job (sorry – I’ll stop now).

Following the success of Original Pirate Material, described in Vice mag as “the next evolutionary leap for British urban music”, the pressure was on and this album delivers. Featuring contributions from Waney G and C-Mone, the story that follows on throughout the 11 tracks is loaded with raw honesty accompanied with some really sound backings ensuring a quality listen throughout the album. Whilst Mike Skinner’s Birmingham twang is not typically heartwarming, the tracks, including ‘Could Well Be In and Dry Your Eyes’ are tuneful enough to distract your ears away from his unfortunate Brumminess. Though not the Shakespeare generally portrayed, Skinners lyrics do “tell it like it is”, and are so true and easy to identify with its not even funny – “its hard enough remembering my opinions without remembering my reasons for them”. ‘Fit But You Know It’ is the well-known single and while it’s a high-quality track it doesn’t quite embody this top album. Following a tour in the US with Dizzee Rascal, The Streets are playing at the Reading and Leeds festivals and if their new offering is anything to go by these live gigs should be wicked. Word.

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