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

Advantages: ground breaking concept album
Disadvantages: some of the tracks are a bit samey but they all need to be on album!

...Easy~ This track has quite a grand opening and you almost expect some sort of ground breaking statement about the world, life in general, a political message or something....but no, Mike has to return a DVD, get some money out of the cash point (just a day in the life of any one else right). Basically he gets to the DVD shop, just in time before it closes so he won't get a fine...oh no! The DVD is not in the case arrghhh! Goes to the cash point ... Read review

Advantages: Real, down-to-earth music
Disadvantages: Language not suitable for kids

I bought this album from cd-wow as soon as it was released. The cover (a photo of Mike Skinner standing at a bus stop) is not particularly striking, and it wouldn't jump off the shelf at you unless you were looking specifically for this title. There are no lyrics inside the inlay, which I feel is a pity. Instead there are photographs of the lead singer, Mike Skinner. The CD itself has 11 tracks, 5 of which, in my opinion, are outstanding, 4 good ... Read review

Advantages: Eclectic range of songs. thought-provoking lyrics.
Disadvantages: May not be to everyone's taste.

...that ol' heart of mine... A Grand Don't Come for Free ********************************* Firstly, the basics. The album has 11 tracks: 1. It was supposed to be so easy. 2. Could well be in. 3. Not addicted. 4. Blinded by the lights. 5.Wouldn't have it any other way. 6.Get out of my house. 7.Fit but you know it. 8.Such a twat. 9.What is he thinking. 10.Dry your eyes. 11.Empty cans. Genre ******** Eleven songs, eleven styles. ... Read review

Advantages: Great storyline, ingenious melodies and beats
Disadvantages: Quite short - it does seem to fly past

...of release. I was not disappointed. 'A Grand don't come for free' is an example of that very rare species, the concept album. It charts a rollercoaster relationship between Skinner himself and a certain girl by the name of Simone. The story is narrated through a series of 11 tracks, each one concentrating on a different aspect of the intruguing tale. I hasten to add that the album should definitely be listened to in the correct order, and all ... Read review

Advantages: More than there are dis-advantages
Disadvantages: See Review

...this - The Streets? … A Grand Don't Come For Free ? ? ? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Streets - Background ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Birmingham home boy Mike Skinner & Friends began their mission a long time ago while still at school. But it was last year that Skinner became successful with a new record deal and released their first single ' Has It Come To This' reaching the Top 10 and staying solid still for 3 weeks. But this was to be no ... Read review

Advantages: So Original ... and addictive
Disadvantages: If you dont like this type of music, dont buy it (not much else to say really)

...as the title mentions the Grand that he loses. 1. It Was Supposed To Be So Easy Typical Tune that is reminiscent of their last album. Tells us about what he is doing in one day and he has achieved nothing!! We can all relate to that!! Great beat for this song and lyrically it is good. But of course the story begins here with Mike's money going missing - Who was to blame? Didn't really enjoy this to begin with but it grew on me. 4/5 2. Could ... Read review

Advantages: Original
Disadvantages: Not For Everyone

...- the loss of the grand that didn't come for free. The really strange thing is that, like a good book or film, you actually care what happens to the characters especially the lead character Mike. You feel sorry for him in the superb 'Dry Your Eyes' , you feel for Mikes mate Scott caught in a dilemma in 'What Is He Thinking' and you feel relieved when Mike doesn't lose the last of his money betting on the footie in 'Not Addicted'. For me the ... Read review

Advantages: Interesting story
Disadvantages: Can be repetative

Having heard that this album told a story, I was intrigued and decided to give this album a listen. Although not a major fan of Mike Skinner's type of music, and confess to finding ‘fit but you know it’ slightly annoying, I still wanted to hear this 'story' The album starts with 'It was supposed to be so easy' with it's almost fanfare start. I found that the background track distracted from the words somewhat, and found it really hard ... Read review

Advantages: Great lyrics, story like format, something a bit different!
Disadvantages: Not to everyones tase, one weak track

...from the previous album "A Grand Don't Come For Free" is still without a doubt an exceptional work of art. The CD contains 11 tracks and if you listen to the album from start to finish it tells a story, much like a book or a film and you begin to feel you know a fair bit about a particular period of Mike's life. The tracks are as follows: 01. It Was Supposed To Be So Easy 02. Could Well Be In 03. Not Addicted 04. Blinded By The Light 05. ... Read review

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

...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 ... Read review

Advantages: It's not what it seems at first hearing
Disadvantages: uses the language of the street

The Streets, I heard the supposed cockney charm of "Fit but you know it" and dismissed them as a novelty act. Then, out of nowhere and without warning an epic tale of lost love assaults my eardrums, they were playing "Dry your eyes" with very obvious cuts as record of the week on some anonymous DJ's lunchtime show. How do you start to describe a recording this awesome? I'm 42 years old and seldom get excited about music anymore, Last Christmas ... Read review

Advantages: A veritable rock opera
Disadvantages: Why didn't I buy the first album?

...tale of lost money (the Grand in the title), romance, lost love, drunken holiday, then...oh if I tell you it might spoil it, go buy it. The production on some of the numbers are fantastic, the skill behind this clashes beautifully with the lyrics as they often describe the mundane and the minutiae of this boys life. "So then I move my hand up from down by my side It's shakin’, my life is crashin’ before my eyes Turn the palm of my hand up to ... Read review