The Streets' current release A Grand Don't Come For Free surprised most by being just as engaging and provocative as their debut album, the highly-revered Original Pirate Material, largely because they went down a different road and chose to record a concept album.
Blinded By The Light is an eclectic and tensional brew cooked from urban trance loops, slow drum beats and fragile backing vocals, although Mike Skinner's incredibly weak - and at times annoying - vocals may deter those who don't understand his ironic sense of humour or get caught up in his social commentary and witty one-liners.
Both the clean and original recordings are available here; avid fans of urban music will probably appreciate Birmingham-born Skinner's successful 'cockney concoctions'. That The Streets are British and full of ideas will give much credence for those who want to walk down the same path.
more 