Grand Don't Come For Free, A [PA] - Streets (The) > Reviews > One big con?

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	Very intresting story .  Good tunes and lyrics .
Disadvantages:	Is this story true? "DRY YOUR EYES MATE"

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

You can not con an honest john. (Mike Skinner lyric, newest album) (Mike Skinner is the front man of this group)

That is one view someone wrote into mixmag (massive music magazine) about the streets album. The man in question said, well, asked, people don't really believe this story do they? Well I did 100% until this guy raised his doubts. Never the less, wether it's true or not, it is still a class album.

I will now review the album giving a detailed outline of the songs without completely ruining the story.

I first aquired this album after a hard weekend including an after party a couple of years ago, I casually left the party on the Saturday morning (22,01,05 still have receipt) strolled up the bridges in Edinburgh to the HMV at St James centre. (Looking a right mess no doubt) When a got home I stuck the CD on and lay on my bed listening to this class album with a heavy head. I was not to be disapointed.

1. "IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SO EASY" This tune kicks off with
mike skinner informing us of his routine for the day, take back his DVD see his mum for tea etc. As the song goes through, it becomes patently clear none of this will be acheived as well as having "insufficent funds" DOH. Oh, and only losing a grand that was placed on the back of his dodgy telly.
In terms of lyrics, it really is superb start to this story. The tune is not to shabby either. 8/10

2. "COULD WELL BE IN" This is quite a slow melodic song with once again quite cool lyrics. As the title suggest this tune is about a rendezvous with a lady friend of his which he is quite fond of and would not mind courting. He believes the way she plays with her hair suggests he is in there. You might just be right mike, you might just be right.
Cool, moving and a bit emotional. 9/10

3."NOT ADDICTED" I can relate to this song in part. In part because I would stick the bet on.
This is about the blues playing the reds (presumably chelsea, arsenal) and how he is tempted to put a bet on too win back some much needed money. Luckily, he avoids doing so and saves himself a few quid in the process. I like this tune a lot of big woofing base, would be a good boy racer tune. Once again top notch lyrics. 8/10

4."BLINDED BY THE LIGHTS" Absolutely love this tune. Absolute genius the way he messes with the tune. Often heard in a lot of hard house tunes this wavey sense of pschedilica (possibly a made up word). Classic. This tune is about him being stood up in the club and how he downs a couple of ecstasy tablets. (double dropping, tut,tut.) We then hear his experiences in the club, wavy hands (tracers) and the subtle trip outs. Thinking that he sees his bird kicking about the club with someone else, but not sure wether to believe his fragile mind or not. Class tune, reminds me of some of the people I have met in Nuklear Puppy in Edinburgh. 10/10

5. "WOULDN'T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY" This song is about mike having a cosy night in with the girlfriend and wathcing telly and how he loves her so. Awwwwwwww.
Then shock, horror, he thinks actually what is one doing in ones house with girlfriend when one could be down one's local watering hole having a pint with the local gentelmen. Can't argue with Mike there. Good song, fairly slow paced and gentle touch to the melody. 7/10

6. "GET OUT OF MY HOUSE" I am surprised I still remember my initial shocked reaction to hearing this song but never the less I do. We discover that the girlfriend he is going out with is in fact a chavet/nedette (delete as appropriate for region). The reason I was so shocked was I was expecting the said lady(?) to be of the elegant and sophisticated standing (remember I had been on the lash) one sound of the lady's (?) voice tells us different. I will say no more on the matter for risk of causing offence tho.
The song never the less is really good big tune with the lyrics expressing both Mike and girlfriend arguing and ending abruptly with mike departing building imagining girlfriend coming back cap in hand (silly beggar). Good tune 7/10

7. "FIT BUT YOU KNOW IT" Yip we all know the birds guys don't we. eh, eh. This song is about mike and his experience on holiday with some bird who played him from start to finish. This was a big tune for the streets the video was not bad either.
A cool song with easy lyrics. Pretty darn catchy too. 8/10

8. "SUCH A TWAT" This is mike realising that he was a wee bit naughty on his holly bobs and the girlfriend will not be too chuffed, should she find out. Not a bad song Not the most memorable on album tho. 6/10

9. "WHAT IS HE THINKING" Such a good tune. Two people sitting in a room staring at each other both thinking far too much and patently clear the old party life has caught up too bite them in the bum. We hear the thoughts of the two throughout the song and how mike gets the wrong end of the stick thinking this man has been sleeping with his woman. While he knows (not mike, his mate) someone else more than likely did. Not alot of melody to the tune but gripping lyrics. 8/10

10. "DRY YOUR EYES MATE" I hate this song. To this day it still irritates me. The trend it kicked off with some clubbers going round saying "DRY YOUR EYES MATE" if you where ever slightly annoyed really irked me. The song is lame although relevant to the story, explaining how he feels after the brake up with his girlfriend. A bit too in your face and obvious for my liking. Untypical of the streets. No more songs like this PLEASE Mike. Although it did really well in the charts. (Must have been a bad week in music.) 1/10
(Only giving a 1 because so many people bought it and the purpose it serves on album, but I always skip it on album.)

11. "EMPTY CANS" A really good ending to a good quality album.
We discover what happened to the money in the two endings offered. It is quite an ingenius ending I tottaly did not expect it when I first listened to it.
Quite hilarious in the bad ending when he has a fight with the man he ordered to fix his TV. The good ending is maybe a little too good to be true. Considering it is well documented that Mike Skinner was in rehab for a bit with mental troubles etc. Would not surprise me if the bad ending is true, this probably caused it. But, a very good ending to the story. I like it a lot. 8/10.

Make up your own mind if you think it is true or not. I believe it is quite possible and think its true due to the murky nature of some of the people in club land who I have come accross.

Even if it is fake, WHO BLOODY CARES! It's a music album. Fair play to him I say if he said it to increase sales. I don't see how it would tho.

Too sum up, they really are good lyricists. There are some stomping tunes. I would advise you to listen before you buy tho. It is a taste you need to have, of course.

All tracks written and produced by Mike Skinner.