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A Grand Don't Come for Free | 
| Artist: The Streets
Label: 679
Category: Music
List Price: £15.99
Buy Used: £0.50
as of 22/11/2009 21:33 GMT details
You Save: £15.49 (97%)
New (52) Used (70) from £0.50
Seller: aimeetwothousandand
Rating:  167 reviews
Sales Rank: 1386
Format: Explicit Lyrics
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 61534
UPC: 825646153428
EAN: 0825646153428
ASIN: B0001XARU4
Release Date: May 10, 2004
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | It Was Supposed to be so Easy | | • | Could Well Be In | | • | Not Addicted | | • | Blinded By The Light | | • | I Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way | | • | Get Out of My House | | • | Fit But You Know It | | • | Such A Twat | | • | What is he Thinking | | • | Dry Your Eyes | | • | Empty Cans |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
How do you follow an acclaimed debut in your own inimitable style without repeating past glory? The answer is simple--make a concept album. Mike Skinner's (aka the Streets) IA Grand Don't Come for Free/I tells the story of his recent troubles and triumphs in a manner that is as much music-hall as it is friends chatting on the phone. The story is simple but the narrative is far more cohesive than a string of songs explaining the plot. His broken television, a pivotal part of the story is referenced throughout, as are warning signs that his girlfriend, Simone, is seeing best mate Dan behind his back. It may sound like a soap opera but is given added depth by the attention to detail in lyrics ("she was with the white-shirted man in McDonalds car park" on "Such a Twat"); the structure of the music as if it were following the dialogue (hi-hats, whooshes and piano stabs as the effects of Ecstasy take hold on "Blinded by the Light); and an openness to wear his heart on his sleeve (the beautiful ode to stoned love "I Wouldn't Have it Any Other Way" and the heart-wrenching break-up song, "Dry Your Eyes").p Musically the breaks and beats are in a similar style to IOriginal Pirate Material/I; erratic urban drum loops, synths and classical strings except for the lead single "Fit But You Know it" where the punky guitar and steady beat drive the song as much as the content of the lyrics. IA Grand Don't Come for free/I will have much written about it--not only does it stand out for being a latter day concept album, but the complexity of the narrative and the believable swings in emotion provide much food for thought and command attentive listening. --IDavid Trueman/I
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 167
 more genius from Skinner April 22, 2004
13 out of 13 found this review helpful
the streets debut album, although not recongnised now was a landmark innew music. genre defining and a surely a source of inspiration of songs tocome.brHis second album, bizzarely comes across as a concept album, allbeit abouta relationship falling apart after a holiday. Its an ingenious idea.Similair to the Who's narritive in Tommy, the streets employ the sametactic on a grand dont come for free. and it works. As fascinating as itis enjoyable, Skinner shows off as a fantastic lyricist andstoryteller.brThe lyrics are as candid and hilarious as ever. "That blue Topshop topyou#8217;ve got on is nice,brBit too much fake tan though but, yeah you score high" is an example ofone of many. The simplicity and honesty of the lyrics only add to thebrilliance of the album, hardly eloquent, but very accessible andwitty.brOne of the greatest pleasures here is letting the story reveal itself overrepeated listens, so I'll try not to spoil it. Just expect fullerinstrumentation, stronger melodies, and a carefully crafted compositionthat can only be described as literary. brThe highlight of the album comes from the Chris Martin inspired "dry youreyes" where Skinner creates a Garage ballad, would you believe it, full ofstrings and acoustic guitars. it proves the diversity he can reach on thisalbum.brFollowing his debut was always going to be a difficult job, but with thismasterpiece, Skinner makes it look so easy. superb.
chavtastic July 27, 2004
R. Thompson (Kent, England)
29 out of 31 found this review helpful
You shouldn't really like Mike Skinner. He looks the type of bloke who sells dodgy pirate DVDs in your local, you can see him in a greasy spoon clutching a copy of The Sun with 10 Bensons and a clipper on the table. He doesn't seem the kind of guy that has produced one of the best British albums of the past ten years, yet with Calvin Schmalvin his partner in crime, The Streets are one of the most important acts in Britain, as well as one of the best.brSkinner is a true working class hero, he tells it like it is. His lyrics can relate to most urban youth, tinged with intelligence, humour, and grit. "Original Pirate Material" was The Streets acclaimed debut, nominated for Brits, Mercury, loads, fusing hip hop, garage, and dance to create a gritty insight into modern urban Britain. So how does he follow it up? With a concept album. This is the point where alarm bells start ringing. Concept albums have always been associated with arty psychedelia types, recent examples include The Mars Volta, and Liars. The Streets arent arty psychedelia types, so what are they doing toying the idea of a concept album? Skinner's second album is a story, about losing a grand, meeting a bird, arguing with bird, splitting up with bird, losing mates due to bird, end. And its damn damn good.brThe album kicks off with horns introducing "It Was Supposed To Be So Easy", which sets the background to Skinner's tale and the missing thousand quid. A cracking intro which leads nicely into "Could Well Be In", which brings Simone into the story as Skinner's new lady. His lyrics are genius, colloquial and funny and totally unpretentious, he could be talking to you direct about how he thought Simone "looked rough in her work stuff". "Not Addicted" tells of Mike's unsuccessful trip to the bookies, whilst "Blinded By The Lights" is about a drug-fuelled night in a club, both raw, gritty tracks, "Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way" is a nice change in direction, all about the cosiness and warmth of a night in with your other half. Nicely followed by a blazing row with Simone in "Get Out Of My House", a tense wirey track which leaves unfinished business by the time Mike goes on holiday in "Fit But You Know It", a rocky single reminiscent of Blur's "Parklife". "Such A Twat" tells of Skinner's regrets of his Ibiza antics, straining his relationship with Simone, whilst "What Is He Thinking?", a stand out track, deals with Mike's paranoia over Simone and a coat left round her flat, which finishes with the revelation that she has been knocking off Mike's mate Dan. "Dry Your Eyes" shows his devastation and heartbreak, things ain't looking too good for our hero. Album closer "Empty Cans" concludes the story with a shock, a superb track which leaves you begging for more.br"A Grand Don't Come For Free" is excellent. Some won't like it because theres garage elements, admittedly garage isn't a genre I particularly like, but The Streets are a big exception. Their debut was superb and their second release is better. If you can understand that chavs CAN make good music, then this album will grow and grow on you, its just brilliant. Buy It.
Not a dry eye in the house . . . June 17, 2004
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
If "Original Pirate Material" was the "Never Mind The Bollocks" of this decade, with his new album Mike Skinner has took his lead from the prog rock heavyweights and delivered what in all but name is a concept album. And this means it features both the ups and downs of this medium - the first half of the album is intent on scene setting, and as a consequence sacrifices hooks for detail. It's very difficult on the first listen to really become too engaged by the first six tracks (barring the sublime "Blinded by the light") and the mockney knees up of "Fit but you know it" only seems to reinforce the sense of disappointment. In fact, just as the attention begins drifting, Skinner tightens up his beats, drops his laddish front and delivers the finest four tracks back to back of any album I have ever heard.pThe concealed rage of "Such a twat" and "What is he thinking" holds such incredible energy it sends shivers down the spine. But that is nothing compared to the devastating final two tracks. For 13 minutes Mike Skinner takes hold of you and drags you through every emotional rollercoaster you have ever been on. "Dry Your Eyes" is simply breathtaking - his honesty is frightening, and I defy anybody to listen to this without a lump in the throat. And then "Empty Cans" fires home his final denoument, cleverly told from two different perspectives that brings the story round full circle. And suddenly the slow build up of the first half of the album makes perfect sense. And you're left completely drained from it.pSo it's no "OPM". Indeed, it feels more like the second act of a three part play. If only Mike Skinner could focus his massive talent on refining what he does on the last third of the album into 50 minutes he would deliver one of the greatest albums this country has ever produced, period. The question is, does he have the guts to do it ?
A Great Follow Up and Totally Rewarding September 7, 2004
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
The Street's have followed up the ground breaking debut 'Original Pirate Material' with an album that proves once again great music doesn't have to manufactured.br brThe greatest strength of the album is that it's challenging. When you first listen you hear a range of eclectic beats that are unlike the majority of music around, but over this is the clarity and honesty of the lyrics. pThe Streets could have easily made money producing an album which was a copy of their first, instead they have produced a concpet album that is hugely rewarding. pThe album plays out as a story and this focus and theme gives every song a relevance few albums can match. The album moves from attraction to pain and from party highs to depressing lows, yet all through keeps away from the cliched and cheesy.pWhilst this album must be looked at as a whole this does not mean there are not stand out songs, 'Blinded By The Lights', 'Fit But You Know It' and 'Dry Your Eyes' are tracks that engage and connect instantly with the listener.pMany people claim that there are not enough 'classics' on this album, but they miss the point. In a world where producing and marketing a single to be number 1 for one week is the measure of success, The Streets have produced an album where the sum of its parts create a classic and an pivotable album in British Urban music
nice one son May 8, 2004
12 out of 13 found this review helpful
The Streets are back with a second album, after the critically acclaimed Original Pirate Material. If you've heard this 2002 high flyer you might have thought like myself that the 2nd album would be an attempt to copy its style.pWhen you put this album in your CD player make sure that you've set aside just over 51 minutes of your life. Without wanting to spoil anything for you (a lot of reviewers are) the album is a complete story. Pretty much each song links to another in some way. To track hop this album is like track hopping a DVD movie or jumping 20 pages in a good book. You have been warned :)pThe album is a blend of moving ballads and powerful dance / hiphop tunes. "Could Well Be In", "Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way" and "Dry Your Eyes" will uplift you with its piano and string ballads. While "Blinded By the Lights", "Fit But You Know It" and "Such a Twat" balance it out with powerful beats.pMike Skinner and friends invite you to join them on a story of trust, friendship, drugs and love. Make sure you don't miss out buy your copy of "A Grand Don't Come For Free" now.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 167
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