Mike Skinner is one of my favorite artists hands down. Why? Basically, because Mike Skinner (The Streets) is unique, original, and you can follow his paper trail to where he is today. He started at the bottom and worked his way to the top of the food chain. Incredible. We can actually see an artist evolve from a garage type setup, to a studio, to a super-studio facilitated album.
Evolution of The Streets is apparent and refreshing.
The Streets have done 5 albums, all of which are different, all of which are excellent, and all of which are incredibly interesting, conceptually, and aesthetically. I prefer Original Pirate Material, A Grand Don’t Come For Free, and The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living.
I now agree that Computer and Blues is up there with the best of their albums.
With only 3 days of non-stop listening, I prefer this album to the others. This album is fresh, relevant and very personal. The Streets’ last album is a sound-system banger and an artistic send off for Skinner. I feel he wants to end on a good note, and I appreciate the respect for fans and music. So many bands milk it to the very last drop and fizzle out while pumping out shit. I respect The Streets and Mike Skinner; however, I hope sometime soon he can pull a reunion tour so I can catch the music live.
Apparently, he wanted to do 5 albums, that’s what his contract was about, and that’s it. He has stated in interviews that he was satisfied with this decision because he wanted to find more time to spend with his family.
Dan gave me this album, mentioning that at first he did not dig it as much as the other albums. This seems to be the case with most of The Streets albums for me, there is definitely a first listen and blah. After a bit of thinking the album is thrown back into the mix and listened to over and over again. Always a cult classic and a heavy listen. Since Original Pirate Material I have been a Streets fan. Most all of their albums to date are inspiring, completely original and massively progressive.
One thing I take away from The Streets is they make music that sounds like The Streets, they are not ripping off, copy-catting to hit the charts up, or going trendy. The Streets just transpire and it comes out sounding amazing. I love The Streets and the music they make, and the inspiration they flood the speakers with.
***
For days I have been listening to this album on repeat and I was trying to get a perspective and give you something in detail, but after listening I feel this CD deserves a listen. Lyrics are spot on, the songwriting is out of this world. The beats are heavy when needed, also, soft and chill when necessary. I found my roommates awesome sound set up and took full advantage of it. This Streets album is worth a buy, and definitely a good listen. Streets fans won’t regret Computer and Blues and it is on par with, if not better than all his previous albums but Original Pirate Material. You deserve to listen to this album on a really good sounds system. The positive message is solid and the beats are innovative. Mike Skinner did create a sound system banger, and an artsy bon voyage. Cheers! This Streets album has me with a smile on my face.
MIND INVERSION 