Artist: The Streets
Release: Computers And Blues
Release Date: 7th Feb 2011
Can you Adam and Eve it? dust off your La Coste trainers put on your favourite Ben Sherman shirt and raise your pint glasses, as The Streets bows out on his fifth and final studio album the eagerly anticipated ‘Computers and Blues’.
Mike Skinner has already released two classic albums in ‘Original Pirate Material’ and ‘A Grand Don’t Come For Free’ which established him as the “every man poet” creating a sound entirely his own and bringing a fresh perspective to Uk Hip-Hop, and while his most recent offering doesn’t quite reach those giddy heights it comes a damn site close.
The production on the album has been described by the man himself as “dancing music to drink tea to” and while I can’t imagine myself raving to this while sipping on some earl grey(excuse my literal take), ‘Computers and Blues’ does have a strong electronic element, full of quirks and samples feeling very reminiscent of his debut at times. The opening track ‘Outside Inside’ starts with twinpeaks-esque backwards vocals and what sounds like an Amiga giving birth leading into a hypnotic electronic loop which provides a simple bedrock for Skinners signature stream of consciousness delivery to really stand out.
This album is departure from the far more sparse sounding ‘Everything Is Borrowed’ the tracks on show here are full, rich and bursting with sound, the album feels bright and upbeat, Computers and Blues sounds like a man happy to say goodbye.
‘Going Through Hell’ is the first single to be released from the album it features vocals from Rob Harvey of The Music, with Skinner rapping over a hard metal guitar riff, its rousing stuff and though it’s no ‘99 Problems’ it’s a competent effort.
One of my favourite tracks is ‘Roof Of Your Car’ it feels custom built for relaxing in the summer with a chip tuney sample heavy chorus which I challenge you not to smile along to. Another stand out is ‘Puzzled by People’ it’s all the things a Streets track should be observational, lyrically sharp, warranting multiple listens to find the treasures you missed out on the first listen. The only dip for me on the album is the track ‘OMG’. It’s about getting into a relationship on Facebook and while it is tune with The Streets signature for touching on subject matter which is now and mass accessible for me it feels trite coming from an artist who works so hand in hand with the social media world.
‘Computer and Blues’ is the perfect swan song for The Streets to bow out on. Its a confident return to form and though it might not have the fist clenching swagger of his earlier classics. He has put together an album which shows everyone why they’ll never be anyone in Uk Hip Hop quite like The Streets. Mike Skinner I sir, salute you.
Reviewer: Andre McDonald
