User Score
Generally favorable reviews- based on 226 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 180 out of 226
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Mixed: 18 out of 226
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Negative: 28 out of 226
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rogersJul 28, 2005This CD is incredible. I can listen to it all the time and get something new from it. To Trust or not to Trust that is the name of the Game.
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elainecMay 24, 2004complete original anybody who slates this album will be eating their words in years to come, a sure classic!!!
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LaviniaHJan 19, 2007loved it
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stevemSep 7, 2004I hope my vote brings down the overall score for this terrible album. It's a shame I beleived waht was written in these high-score reviews for A Grand.... after listening to it, I 100% disagree with all of them. Come on people, you made me waste my money on a crap album. You're suppose to critics, not lemmings.
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richardjJun 22, 2006Sorry why do you hype this man! He has minimal talent and is plainly musically retarded, wanna listen to a good english MC listen to Plan B, album out on 26th June in UK, hard hitting and relevant this is just totally Sh*T! Crap rhymes and Sh*tty beats!
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DanielD.Jun 2, 2009I'm pretty sure I could also make an album that sounded "like nothing else..." unfortunately it would be total garbage, just like this one. Call it lost in translation, say Americans just don't get it, whatever you want....this is annoying to the ear right off the bat, and it doesn't change the 2nd time around, either.
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BeckAJun 6, 2004
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brucehAug 2, 2004its good
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shabaroOct 7, 20048 for the originality,10 for the creativity of the samples and loops; 4 for not trying to take this to the next level; 9 for the production quality; 4 for trivial lyrics. total a well deserved 7.
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MikeSkinnerMay 20, 2004
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EvanPMay 20, 2004A modern day flaneur, creating a philosophy upon the most mundane of daily activities. His concept is simple; it just a day in the life of Mike Skinner.
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GennaroFMay 20, 2004Brilliant!!! let all the naysayers eat a D$#@. We love you M.S. keep it comin.RESPECT
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JasonTMay 30, 2004Doesn't have the stand out tracks of Original Pirate Material, but still is a great collection of musings. "Empty Cans" is a brilliant record.
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JTJun 10, 2004
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AndrewTJun 3, 2004Pure Quality! Great story on top of good beats. Dry Your eyes is by far The Streets best ever song.
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DJAug 2, 2004its of the hook
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KelDec 1, 2005
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ClaireMar 6, 2005great albumn and even better when hes live!!
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JoelJul 9, 2005This album is difficult to define. It's like "The Office" meets "The Wall" or something. The quality of the rapping (or talking) and music is usually nothing to write your homies about, but somehow the end result works great. I've listened to it about five times now straight through, and I rarely listen to albums straight through. Great piece of work they made.
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PelicaineOct 28, 2006Some of the most unique beats I've ever heard. This album is well put-together. An enjoyable story that gets better with each listen. Get this album any way you can! A must-hear.
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CiaránMcCNov 8, 2004A little disapointing thought the 1 album is way ahead of this but did like the beats!!
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AndrewPDec 15, 2004Great cd, but often a bit too much of a story than a song. The streets rule.
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NGMay 15, 2004Mike Skinner took a lot of risks to make this album. The first time I listened to it, I thought that is was less than Original Pirate Material, but the more you listen to it, the more the pieces fall together. Briljant album; if this is the best album of 2004, I think we have no right to complain.
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HalesMay 25, 2004master pece for the first time in a long time it's an album thats moved me
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[Anonymous]May 20, 2004Bloody Superb!!!!
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GennaroFMay 20, 2004Brilliant!!! let all the naysayers eat a D$#@. We love you M.S. keep it comin.RESPECT
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GennaroFMay 20, 2004Brilliant!!! let all the naysayers eat a D$#@. We love you M.S. keep it comin.RESPECT
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JosephPJun 8, 2004I can't stand this cd. Theres a few good parts but the majority of the cd is incredibly difficult to listen to. The tracks sound good but the british accent totally works against getting a flow going as far as word-play goes.
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PHOEBEPAug 9, 2004GRAND DONT COME FOR FREE is a really majestic album. I find The Strees a great new breath of good shit. Keep it up, yeah.
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AndySSep 6, 2004
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DannyCSep 7, 2004
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AlexHOct 11, 2005Will never top the first album, especially not with this effort.
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AdamMJan 20, 2005this is a great album that holds a hidden story if listned to correctli
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joolzmonksJan 9, 2005Best album I've come across in about a decade. Well, five years at least.
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flatulantfartsFeb 3, 2005yea!!
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ChriscFeb 3, 2005at the end of the record, you feel as if you have reached nirvana
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ElizabethRMar 1, 2005This album is amazing. Mike Skinner talks about the most normal things in the most minute detail that really makes you think. If you pay attention, the songs all together also tell a story, which is something I've never heard before. Much more polished and together than "Original Pirate Material."
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JoyLApr 18, 2005Great Album. Even better in concert. Although for me Original Pirate Material is still my favorite Skinner album.
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BriannaJMay 20, 2005I am AMAZED!
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critic.xhost.roAug 7, 2005the whole album story is greatly depicted, very nice tracks and awesome beats, esp "blinded by the light" and "dry your eyes"
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ScholesyOct 19, 2006Better than OPM. MUCH better. This album is a true storytelling classic
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PaulieJan 4, 2006The spirit of Ian Drury lives on .
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JacksonAnimalMar 1, 2006
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jwMar 29, 2006
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dannywJan 13, 2007mint
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AbiCNov 1, 2004this album is truly original and uniqe i give it 10 out of ten because i am totally in love with this album.
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SamMOct 12, 2004he's talking, thats it he's talking with a slight hint of a rythm plain bollocks
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SethB.Dec 2, 2004
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robinrDec 2, 2004Great album... nobody and i say nobody makes this kind of music.. inovative and extreem. Lyrics that people can relate to and maybe even some phylosofie in the tracks Brilliant
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RyanMOct 4, 2004just 1 word for this album BRILLIANT !!!
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MelSMay 15, 2004One of the best CD's released in the past few years. It doesn't matter if you like rap or not, you should listen to this album.
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SeanCMay 16, 2004This disc is brilliant.
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JohnPMay 17, 2004
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MartBMay 20, 2004Mike is a class above everyone else.Brilliant album.Get it.
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JeffFormOzMay 24, 2004exceptional album.
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DaveVMay 27, 2004It took guts to make a concept album in the genre, great stuff
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LawrencePMay 31, 2004At first listen i didn't think this record was beter than "Original Pirate Material." I was wrong...Mike has showned me a side of him i didn't think he had in him. Good job mate...keep up the good work.
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ZionJun 10, 2004just bad.. no beats, no harmony. just a long boring story. unacceptable for a band like the streets...ill try the next albun just in case they were "baked" when they made this one..
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ArnieGeezerJun 23, 2004
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nicoJun 8, 2004Genius. Make sure you listen to it from start to finish.
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patrickmJul 10, 2004
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ihlfilugJul 11, 2004cool
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GlenBJul 13, 2004Good because it's the streets, but really it's pretty average. I had high expectations after OPM but this is a poor follow up. Losing money in a TV? Come on.
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MarcJul 30, 2004How people can listen to The Streets in the first place baffles me! He doesn't sing or rap, he just talks! Who cares about listnening to stories about fast food and complaining about his broken TV, etc. The Streets for me, are overrated and just plain boring. And for his comparison with Eminem, he's not even in the same league!
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JohnnyAJan 15, 2005I love it!
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darrinsJan 16, 2005I dont get it. I mean, its creative, but not really my thing. I respect this guy, but hes far from being a lyrical genius. I hope this isnt where hip hop is heading. Personally, hip hop album of the year/decade is Madvilliany. This is more like techno with spoken word.
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mikeymikeyJan 30, 2005
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AdamRJan 4, 2005
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StoPMar 18, 2005
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bobbMar 24, 2005this is just some bloke talking over elevator music ain't it. the 1 is for fit but don't you know it vid, but the album is shit
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mattaMay 27, 2005A great album and so special becuase MIke Skinner truly is making music like no one else. Original Pirate Material was, song for song, probably a better record, but this one is so intriguing and works so well becuase Skinner's ability to tell a truly engrossing story over the course of this cd's eleven tracks. great stuff.
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ThomasMJun 19, 20051 of the best albums ever skinners jus wicked and it was the best concert ive bin 2 an its great music 2 get lost in
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ZachL.Jul 23, 2005This album is definetly best when listened to in it's entirety. Definetly unique and innnovative.
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ScottYJul 9, 2005I just didn't get it. It's highly-rated, but it seemed more like talking over electronica than music to me.
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EmilTSep 2, 2005too sweet
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ChrisTOct 13, 2006Skinner is lyrically amazing. His songs flow is great, and is accent while rapping is an amazing asset to his songs. He can take really normal situations, and relay them in a perfect sence.
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JoshSFeb 12, 2006A great follow-up album and depicts a young-single man's life with his mates, girls and money excellently
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davecFeb 28, 2006i love this album its great. blinded by the lights is awesome
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DavidTFeb 8, 2006Reminds me if David Brent from BBC's The Office made a rap album. mike Skinner can't rap, he just speaks in a brit accent over crappy beats. How does this get such great reviews? Just awful
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PaulVMar 11, 2006I hate rap, and I mean REALLY HATE. But this album? it's absolutely fantastic - It's just plain unique, Skinner has created an absolutely amazing, unique and creative album that has nothing else to compare with. Some nice easy background music. 100% recommended - and just to reiterate, I _HATE_ rap, but BUY THIS!
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TomRMar 19, 2006
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sachepMar 28, 2006Incredible, unique, - a genius is born.
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SimonEApr 21, 2006It's at least as good as his first album.
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SAVAGETOASTAug 8, 2006Not as good as the critics say. i'd recomend buying "original pirate material" by them. i find this album slow and preachy. A 7
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AlexPJun 12, 2007Americans don't get this record. LOL at Americans.
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AP.Feb 20, 2008Really cool album! People who say that they don't get it just don't listen to the words or even the music. The story is really cool and the beats are backing vocals are great. (Try out Dizzee Rascal's Boy In Da Corner if you like this) It may at first be a little hard to get used to (being American, it's hard to at first get past the accent) but it's ultimately rewarding!
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AlanK.Feb 27, 2008Excruciating. It may be supposed to be a parody of Eminem - it sounds a lot like Jilted John, which was definitely a parody of punk - and if so it's grimly hilarious. Otherwise...
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EliTAug 17, 2009
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BryanFNov 11, 2004This album was great!
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JohnDOct 11, 2004this is what hip hop COULD be, but instead we have to listen to Petey Pablo.
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MattBOct 15, 2004
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T.BoneDec 16, 2004
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bryonfOct 29, 2004A Grand... ...the answer to hip hop with meaning
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DDMay 14, 2004
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TKMay 16, 2004Masterpiece.
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MacThelistMay 16, 2004Truly extraordinary. Like a difficult novel, it bears repeated readings, each of which reveals more of a story, each layer of which is increasingly complex and substantially more satisfying.
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SmenkharonMay 19, 2004Very good, more of a cohesive album than his debut but not as many killer individual songs.
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ChrisPJun 22, 2004I don't love it, but I really like it. Some of the beats and "singing" (e.g. the chorus for 'such a twat') can be bland/obnoxious but it's very engaging overall - including Mike's "British flow".
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JasonSJun 22, 2004This almost seems as a sort of homage to the narritive form that one would find in such rock opera's as Quadrophenia or Tommy. Yet, this seems to be executed much better than that. Yes, it's a story, but its a wonderful piece of music as well. It is good to know that someone in the hip hop genre still has innovation on their side. Mike Skinner does not dissappoint.
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joedJun 25, 2004Class most of the songs are amzin the bonus track is simply class!
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Awards & Rankings
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Vibe11 frenetic, oddball, and extremely original tracks. [Jun 2004, p.154]
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The problem with "A Grand Don't Come for Free" is that the pieces often work better as stories than as songs.... But it is still a thrill to hear Mr. Skinner toy with the form that he invented.
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This makes engrossing listening if the effort suits you, but it's useless as background music.