THE STREETS: HAS IT COME TO THIS?

Christ, have I really been (trying to) write music reviews for free since 2002? The Streets legendary debut Original Pirate Material was one of the highlights of my stint as a reviewer at Lancs University newspaper, Scan. As the decade draws to an end, The LP has garnered lots of fresh critical acclaim. Personally I think it’s pretty spot on to be talking about it as one the definitive albums of the noughties. From the beautiful photograph of an illuminated tower block by Rut Blees Luxemburg and more casual inside artwork snapped by Ewen Spencer to the insightful vignettes concerning life for twenty somethings, it was brash, reflective, clever and incredibly different. I always remember listening to the opening of Turn the Page and being blown away and then amazed that the momentum carried through to the last track. 

Looking at it, eight years on, the only downer I can think of is the whole raft of mockney ‘urban artists’ it generated. Still imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Props for 679 for having the ability to recognise a talent when they heard it. The only thing that baffled me then, and still does today, is why they chose to use Don’t Mug Yourself instead of the track All Got Our Runnins. The latter appeared on the promo release of the album, and if you’ve never heard it, is a secret classic.

Filed under: Uncategorized by J.G.