release date: May 10, 2004
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,22]
producer: Mike Skinner
label: 679 Recordings / Warner - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "It Was Supposed to Be so Easy" (4 / 5) - 2. "Could Well Be In" - 4. "Blinded by the Lights" (4 / 5) - 6. "Get Out of My House" (4 / 5) - 7. "Fit but You Know It" (4 / 5) - 9. "What Is He Thinking?" (5 / 5) - 10. "Dry Your Eyes" - 11. "Empty Cans"
2nd studio album by Mike Skinner's project The Streets, and it's a strong follow-up. Many consider this album the best ever by The Streets but I disagree on that. It's almost UK garage UK hip-hop in the same style as the debut, only, I think a few tracks are more contemporary r&b or pop / rock. "Blinded by the Lights" became a major video and single hit, and so was "Dry Your Eyes". Personally, I embraced "It Was Supposed to Be so Easy" as a more fascinating track, and "Fit but You Know It" is my favourite from this album.
This time, both critics and fans were prepared and the album peaked at number #1 on the UK chart list. A Grand Don't Come for Free is enlisted in "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die" and is often mentioned as Skinner's peak. The debut remains my favourite, perhaps because it's his first? Dunno; however, this is very close to match Original Pirate Material.
[ allmusic.com, Slant 4,5 / 5, Uncut, Q Magazine 5 / 5, Rolling Stone 3 / 5 stars ]
2004 Favourite releases: 1. Arcade Fire Funeral - 2. The Streets A Grand Don't Come for Free - 3. Grant-Lee Phillips Virginia Creeper
