Originally posted by MacTruck Turner: I first saw "The Streets" about two maybe three years ago at a Pharcyde show. I thought they sucked and would be off the scene by now.
Sadly, he is not done. I can't stand him either or understand how he got such massive amounts of coverage.
Sadly, he is not done. I can't stand him either or understand how he got such massive amounts of coverage.
Haha, I just posted in the Best of '08 thread that I wanted to hear some of your suggestions for new music because I thought we had similiar taste in music!
The Streets most definitely are not for everyone. I don't even try to convince people to like them. It's one of those things that either you find it humorous and entertaining, or you think it's horribly annoying. They're not really one of those bands that you change your mind about. I personally love Mike Skinner, though. A Grand Don't Come For Free is one of my favorite albums of the decade. I wasn't as thrilled about the last record, but it had its moments.
I had a stick of CareFree gum, but it didn't work. I felt pretty good while I was blowing that bubble, but as soon as the gum lost its flavor I was back to pondering my mortality.
Posts: 574 | Location: Chicago, IL | Registered: 14 December 2007
I had totally forgotten my quiet loathing of them till you mentioned them. That's true. This isn't much of a rampage, though. Maybe this will help: FILMORE SMASH!
So is anyone else at all excited about the new album? I heard the first single and thought it was actually pretty good - sounded better then The Hardest Way... at least.
quote:
Originally posted by Filmore Mescalito Holmes:
I'm not a big fan of novelty joke music. Frank Zappa kills these fools.
I don't think of it as novelty joke music at all. Lyrically it's not really hokey. The only thing that seems novelty about it is his accent.
I had a stick of CareFree gum, but it didn't work. I felt pretty good while I was blowing that bubble, but as soon as the gum lost its flavor I was back to pondering my mortality.
Posts: 574 | Location: Chicago, IL | Registered: 14 December 2007
I love The Streets. Original Pirate Material is unlike anything else and really good. It's sequel A Grand Don't Come For Free is probably the best concept album of the decade. I don't know how he can go anywhere but down after these two.
Haha I love how people forget about his 3rd album. I think it's great, but it was mostly panned by critics.
If you like the Streets and Eminem, check out Plan B - Who Needs Actions When You Got Words. It was the best rap album of 2006, ahead of Lupe Fiasco and Ghostface Killah. He is sick, sick.. see his video of "No Good" (samples Prodigy) on Youtube if you want a taste.
You don't have to believe everything you think
Posts: 223 | Location: Chicago | Registered: 19 May 2004
The people who don't like the streets (which i suppose is somewhat understandable) should really give A Grand Don't Come For Free another spin.
It is such a beautifully intricate story, a lyrical masterpiece. Ever time I listen to it I notice something else... some bit a foreshadowing, or a track referencing a different track. Or some symbolic meaning. Or some complex rhyme. I understand the accent can get on certain people nerves, but it is one of my favorite albums of the decade also.
It's incredibly complex... quite amazing.
And yeah, his last one was disappointing, but I think the new one, from the two songs he has on his myspace page) sounds really good.
Posts: 215 | Location: St Louis | Registered: 24 July 2008
So the new one, Everything is Borrowed, is coming out October 7th in the States. I'm excited to hear it.
I had a stick of CareFree gum, but it didn't work. I felt pretty good while I was blowing that bubble, but as soon as the gum lost its flavor I was back to pondering my mortality.
Posts: 574 | Location: Chicago, IL | Registered: 14 December 2007
The new album is streaming here. I'm enjoying it. There are several duds, imo, but overall a fine listen. I love the title track, "On the Edge of a Cliff", "The Strongest Person I Know" (despite its over-the-top sentimentality), and "The Escapist".
I just pre-ordered the vinyl version of the album... and then I downloaded the album so I can hear it now.
It's pretty good. Not as great as A Grand Don't Come For Free, but I didn't except it to be either. Definitely better than The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living.
Those who didn't like them (him) in the first place probably won't be converted, but those who are fans will certainly be happy. It's optimistic, unique, with some pretty interesting beats and production.
It might sneak into my top 10 of the year.
Posts: 215 | Location: St Louis | Registered: 24 July 2008
I think what turns a lot of people off about The Streets is his jarring flow. I realize that's an oxymoron, but really, until you get well acquainted (at least in my case), it can be quite unpleasant. Though I initially thought it was silly and a little obnoxious, after a few closer listenings I grew to love A Grand Don't Come for Free. He actually has a way of making quirky rhythms and inflections curiously infectious after a while.
I then heard Original Pirate Material, which I liked but didn't have the same impact. I've yet to hear the 3rd album, so I'll have to get that and then the new one.
Originally posted by pianofaerie: solid brass. ring it!: I think what turns a lot of people off about The Streets is his jarring flow. I realize that's an oxymoron, but really, until you get well acquainted (at least in my case), it can be quite unpleasant. Though I initially thought it was silly and a little obnoxious, after a few closer listenings I grew to love A Grand Don't Come for Free. He actually has a way of making quirky rhythms and inflections curiously infectious after a while.
I then heard Original Pirate Material, which I liked but didn't have the same impact. I've yet to hear the 3rd album, so I'll have to get that and then the new one.
eh. honestly ,you could skip the third one and go right for the new one. LP3 had some good songs, but doesn't really work as a cohesive album. I haven't listened to it since it came out though, so maybe I'll give it another spin.
The Streets are definitely something you get or you don't. It probably won't grow on you...I happen to think it's great. Incredibly unique stuff.
Some will immediately dismiss it as "novelty joke music", cough cough filmore cough. But it's anything but that.
It's social commentary. While A Grand Don't Come For Free deals more with everyday life situations (losing money, relationships, bad trips on shrooms, lack of cell phone reception) and the idiosyncratic nature of a (largely European) modern urban life.
Everything Is Borrowed touches on (among other things) global warming and the potential demise of Man in "Gone the Way of the Dodo" and such darker issues as suicide in "On the Edge of a Cliff". What amazes me about this album is that these dark issues are juxtaposed with a highly optimistic slant. I'd definitely recommend checking it out.
To dismiss it as novelty joke music is just ignorant, close-minded rhetoric. Many won't like it's aesthetic... it's admittedly not for everyone. But for those who can get past the accent and are able to actually listen to (and comprehend) the lyrics... there are some nice little gems just waiting to be discovered.
Posts: 215 | Location: St Louis | Registered: 24 July 2008
Originally posted by Filmore Mescalito Holmes: I'm not a big fan of novelty joke music. Frank Zappa kills these fools.
Hmmm...the fact that, unlike the other chatterboxes here, you actually write for online mags, combined with the fact that you're a fellow Canadian, will prevent me from pointing out the cultural and historical idiocy encapsulated in your one short sentence. Frank Zappa, at least, is something we can agree on, though.
I am a lost soul/I shoot myself with rock n' roll/The hole I dig is bottomless/But nothing else can set me free/
Posts: 105 | Location: Toronto | Registered: 30 July 2008
firstly, I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS BULLSHIT!!!!!, people are hating on the streets and they don't even know that the streets is not a BAND, he is an artist, the streets, better known as MIKE SKINNER is a GARAGE artist from the UK(hence why most of you spastics wouldn't like him, ORIGINAL PIRATE MATERIAL IS THE BEST!!!!)
when i first heard the streets has it come to this and saw the video clip, i pretty much shat my pants and bought original pirate material with the first $30 that came my way (unfortunately that was like 5-6 months later, what can i say i was only 13), everything is borrowed isn't him at his best but is still good anyway.
well anyway, this was a the streets appreciation forum, so anyway who doesn't like him should
