THE STREETS "A Grand Don't Come for Free" (click album cover for review)

Review by: Matt Browne
On 'Original Pirate Material', Mike Skinner invited the listener into a day in the life of a geezer. In a little less than an hour, 'A Grand Don't Come For Free' hits on a diverse range of subjects, from Skinner's relationship with a woman to losing a thousand dollars, compulsive gambling, drug use and having a broken TV. A linear storyline can be found as the tracks progress, but the themes are much more important than the specific subject matter. The Streets bring awareness to the mundanity and malaise of modern society in a way most modern hip hop forgets to, and also opens the door into everyday life of everyday people.